Farquhar tosses sim game ahead of debut
Righty has not pitched in game since April brain aneurysm
LAKELAND, Fla. -- If things go as planned over the next couple days, right-hander Danny Farquhar will pitch in a game Saturday, more than 10 months after he collapsed from a life-threatening brain hemorrhage and ruptured aneurysm in the White Sox dugout.
Farquhar, 32, pitched his second simulated game of Spring Training on Wednesday at the George M. Steinbrenner Complex in Tampa.
He struck out three and gave up a home run to Minor League catcher Kellin Deglan.
“Another good day,” Farquhar told the Associated Press. “It was a learning experience not to throw 2-0 fastballs right down the middle because they’ll get hit very far.
“But I felt my changeup was excellent today. Fastball was good and curveball was OK.”
Farquhar was much more excited to see his name on the board of players scheduled to pitch against the Pirates in Bradenton on Saturday.
“I’m so excited,” Farquhar said. “I’m ready for a real game.”
Manager Aaron Boone walked out to Farquhar’s session just in time to see him give up the home run to Deglan, but he was otherwise impressed.
“I thought he was good,” Boone said. “Stuff wise, he’s in a very good place. There’s life on the fastball. The changeup is a great pitch for him. He’s commanding. He’s throwing for strikes.”
Farquhar collapsed on April 20 and had surgery the following day. He was hospitalized until May 7 and did not pitch again in 2018. He appeared in just eight games for the White Sox last season, pitching eight innings and giving up five runs for a 5.63 ERA.
The Yankees signed Farquhar to a Minor League contract on Jan. 21.
Farquhar is hoping he can stick on the team as a relief option, but after last year’s health scare, he is just happy to be on a baseball field and possibly one day closer to a comeback.
“You definitely see everything in rose-colored glasses,” Farquhar said. “Like just waking up and seeing the sun, it’s exciting. Waking up the kids in the morning and carrying them down the stairs to get into the car to take me to the field at like 6:40 a.m. is awesome.”
Boone said Farquhar’s attitude and personality have been infectious.
"There’s a joy and happiness that he brings to the park,” Boone said. “But he’s able to flip a switch and you can tell he gets very competitive when he gets between the lines. The way he’s throwing the ball, he looks ready to go.”
Farquhar has appeared in 253 games over parts of seven seasons with the Blue Jays, Mariners, Rays and White Sox, going 10-15 with 18 saves and a 3.93 ERA.
He was a member of the Yankees organization in 2012 when he was claimed off waivers from the Athletics. He was later traded to the Mariners as part of the deal to acquire Ichiro Suzuki.