A Southern California native, Cody Poteet didn’t care for the Dodgers very much.
He naturally cheered for the Padres as a kid in El Cajon, a box-shaped city in the foothills of San Diego County. That also meant rooting against Los Angeles, a rival in the National League West.
Last Friday, Poteet had the opportunity to face the first-place Dodgers. The Yankees’ right-hander did so in front of 48,048 people at Yankee Stadium. A notable chunk of the crowd traveled for the road team, which created a playoff-like atmosphere in the Bronx.
“Probably the most fun game I’ve ever pitched,” said Poteet, a product of UCLA. “Very thankful for that experience. It was a privilege.
“Not many people get to say they pitch in Yankee Stadium for the New York Yankees. Not to mention the other team that we’re facing, too. So it’s just an incredible experience.”
While the Yankees lost that game in 11 innings, Poteet fared well against the best offense he’s faced all season. In just his third start of the year, he held the Dodgers’ formidable lineup to two hits over 4.2 scoreless innings.
Poteet also walked three and struck out one with 84 pitches.
“They were real patient with him in that first inning,” Aaron Boone said, “and I thought he executed a lot right out of the gate there and then has a quick second inning and did everything we needed him to do tonight to set us up and give us a real good opportunity. Unfortunately, we just couldn’t break through today, but I thought Cody was, once again, really good.”
Poteet said that the start boosted his confidence, as he had to face Mookie Betts, Shohei Ohtani and Freddie Freeman at the beginning of the game.
The former MVPs went 1-for-5 with two walks and a strikeout against him.
“It’s a very helpful step in the right direction for me and something I’ll remember and draw back on,” Poteet said. “I know that I can get certain guys out.”
Added Aaron Judge, an MVP himself: “That’s a tough ask, and he went right at them.”
Poteet now has a 1.72 ERA over three starts and 15.2 innings.
The 29-year-old’s Yankees debut came on April 13 in Cleveland, where he held the Guardians to one earned run over six frames in a spot start. Poteet’s last two starts have come in place of Clarke Schmidt, who went on the injured list with a lat strain on May 30.
After totaling two earned runs over 9.2 innings against the Giants and Dodgers, Poteet has certainly supported Boone’s spring training assertion that “he can pitch” after missing most of the 2023 season due to Tommy John surgery.
“He’s definitely somebody that we valued and targeted this winter,” the manager said at the time. “I do feel like he can help us.”
So far, Poteet has lived up to those expectations after signing a split contract with the Yankees over the offseason. He’s made a strong case to remain in the rotation until Gerrit Cole returns from elbow inflammation. The reigning Cy Young winner plans on making at least one more rehab start, though he may require more than that after throwing 57 pitches for Double-A Somerset on Sunday.
It will be interesting to see what the Yankees do with Poteet down the road if he keeps pitching well. He’s provided strong depth as a built-up starter, and the team may want to keep the optionable arm in that role while stashing him at Triple-A. However, Poteet had success as a reliever during his time with the Marlins and could be considered an upgrade over some members of the Yankees’ bullpen.
In the meantime, Poteet will make his next start on Wednesday in Kansas City. The Royals oversaw his rehab last year, and Poteet made it back for one Triple-A outing before getting released over the offseason.
Now they Royals will get a chance to see what they’re missing.
“He’s been impressive going all the way back to his start in Cleveland,” Judge said. “I didn’t know too much about him. Saw him a little bit in spring training, but getting a chance to see him go out there and work, the guy’s a competitor. He never backs down. He’ll attack any hitter.”
