VIDEO: JA Happ Actually Dominated in 2020 Yankees Spring Training Debut
By Michael Luciano
Every time JA Happ stepped onto the mound, Yankees fans covered their eyes before the inevitable barrage of home runs came. Happ, now sporting Greg Bird's No. 33, already appears to have turned the page on that poor season, as he was dialed in during the Yankees' Spring Training opener against the Toronto Blue Jays. Happ was perfect through two innings, striking out three before Michael King replaced him.
Your thoughts on happs 2.0IP 0h 0R 0bb 3K performance..
— JoezMcfly?? (@JoezMcfLy) February 22, 2020
Overeactions only please #yankees pic.twitter.com/qFi9hgN2ME
The 37-year-old Happ posted a 4.91 ERA last season, but he was able to somewhat turn things around in August and September last season.
Happ will need to pitch at an elite level for a good chunk of the season, as it is confirmed that James Paxton will miss a few months due to injury, and suspected that Luis Severino will also be on the shelf for a while due to elbow injuries.
So... JA Happ has got the CY Young locked up and is gonna start the All Star Game?
— Hoodie Chad Green (@hoodie_chad) February 22, 2020
Happ might be 37, but he will be expected to serve as the No. 3 starter on a World Series favorite for a major portion of the season. Judging from how Spring Training has gone so far, he is more than up to the task.