TAMPA — Having had two surgeries since he last pitched in a game, Scott Effross couldn’t help but joke as he stood by his locker Thursday.
“I’m a cyborg at this point,” the right-hander said.
Effross missed the entire 2023 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery in October 2022. That rehab was going well last season, but “lingering and “nagging” back issues popped up as Effross continued to throw. The 30-year-old thought he could manage the problem at first, but he ultimately had to undergo a microdiscectomy procedure in December.
“The back itself wasn’t too, too bad,” the sidearmer said. “It was more like the nerve sensation, because it’s right at the sciatic nerve. So that was just the discomfort. At the end of it, it was just kind of yelling at me. It was like, ‘Hey, let’s get this taken care of.'”
Effross, who pitched well over 13 games for the Yankees after being acquired from the Cubs in 2022, said that the procedure “instantly” offered relief and that he’s feeling great now. He resumed throwing last week, but he didn’t want to put a specific timeline on his return. He still needs a few months to build his arm up, but he said sometime in the summer would be reasonable, echoing what Aaron Boone said Wednesday.
“It’s extremely disappointing,” Effross said. “My ultimate goal is to be back as soon as possible for the team and be able to help this team win a World Series, and that’s still my goal.
“This is just kind of another obstacle, but it’s been really frustrating, to be honest.”
While Effross expressed his frustrations, another reliever shared his gratitude.
That would be Lou Trivino, who signed a one-year deal with a club option on Wednesday. The 32-year-old righty underwent Tommy John surgery in May and was non-tendered in November, but he and the Yankees kept in touch and had been discussing a reunion for “a little bit,” Trivino said.
“I told everyone if I just show up, they have to give me a contract,” Trivino said, a joking reference to his surprise arrival when Yankees pitchers and catchers reported to camp on Wednesday.
Trivino, also acquired in 2022 in the Frankie Montas trade with the A’s, said that he had interest from other teams. However, he wanted to wear pinstripes again.
“I’ve really, really enjoyed my time as a Yankee,” he said. “I was pretty, pretty — I wouldn’t say devastated — but it sucked last year. I really thought I’d be able to help the team out, and the fact that I went down almost immediately sucked. But I’m happy to be back and contribute in some way.”
Trivino hasn’t suffered any setbacks. He spent most of last season rehabbing in Tampa, as well as at Eric Cressey’s facility in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. Cressey is the Yankees’ director of player health and performance.
Trivino has been throwing bullpens and has gotten on the mound three times already. Like Effross, however, he didn’t want to state a definitive timeline.
“Everything so far feels great. So hopefully I’ll be back here at some point in the middle of the season,” Trivino said. “I think it will be sooner than later.”
