TAMPA, Fla. (AP) Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Nate Eovaldi allowed two hits and struck out two over two scoreless innings against the New York Yankees in his second outing since undergoing his second Tommy John surgery.
Eovaldi, who was with the Yankees when he was hurt two years ago, threw 21 of 28 pitches for strikes Sunday in the Rays’ 9-1 win.
”I’m very pleased with where I’m at,” Eovaldi said. ”Right now it’s just continue to build the innings and be ready for the season.”
Eovaldi is looking to become the 32nd player to pitch in the big leagues during the regular season after two Tommy John surgeries and the 12th to start a game. He most recently had the surgery in August 2016.
”I feel good, I feel strong,” Eovaldi said. ”I just want to go out there and compete.”
After allowing a one-out single in the first to Aaron Judge, Eovaldi got a grounder from Giancarlo Stanton and struck out Gary Sanchez.
”Control felt good,” said Eovaldi, known for a good fastball. ”I gave up a couple hits but I was able to work out of it and that was the main thing.”
Eovaldi went 23-11 over two seasons with the Yankees, including a 14-3 record in 2015. He spent last year rehabbing the elbow injury before appearing in two minor league playoff games.
Eovaldi went 1 1/3 hitless innings with two strikeouts in an appearance Feb. 27 against Baltimore.
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