Danny Farquhar lay in a hospital bed, in critical condition, moments after collapsing mid-game in April of 2018. Thanks to the New York Yankees, the reliever has a shot to pitch once again in the MLB.
The New York Yankees already boast one of the best bullpen arsenals in the game. But the team’s latest relief addition is – and should be – the most notable one this offseason.
New York inked veteran Danny Farquhar to a Minor League deal Monday. This occurred nine months after the 31-year-old collapsed in the middle of a game due to a brain hemorrhage and was in critical condition.
Shortly after the devastating event, players across the league reached out to Farquhar and his family via social media. The focus on Chicago for several weeks, Farquhar was finally released from the intensive care unit May 7.
To say that Farquhar faced adversity is an understatement. But the reliever fully recovered and seems set on returning to the MLB at some point this season.
Wonderful story: Danny Farquhar is signing a minors deal with Yankees. Farquhar has recovered from life threatening brain hemorrhage suffered early last season while with the White Sox. Great response saved him. Now he is ready to go.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) January 21, 2019
Surely, no matter how the pitcher performs, his recovery and capability to return to the mound is the focus of the story, as it should be. This is likely a feel-good story that will resonate throughout the season, even though the calendar year just began.
Farquhar also adds an experienced arm to the Yankees. Throughout five full seasons of service, the right-hander owns a career 3.93 ERA and whiffs more than 10 hitters per nine innings on average.
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He’s been a journeyman in his career, with New York his fifth stop thus far. And he typically acts in middle relief, though he’s had late-inning roles as well, most recently with the Rays and White Sox.
Farquhar is the most recent pitcher to come back from an unexpected health concern. Chad Bettis fought against cancer in 2017 but returned to the mound late in the season. Jameson Taillon endured a similar health issue and recovered successfully as well.
Some pitchers also suffered head injuries in recent years as a result of a line drives, which remains a legitimate concern in baseball.
Daniel Poncedelon earned the most noteworthy comeback after tossing seven no-hit innings for the Cardinals in a 2018 start. Robbie Ray and Matt Shoemaker are two more hurlers that successfully returned after the frightening injuries.
Players’ unpredictable trauma jeopardizes their careers. But many survive, strive to overcome obstacles and return to baseball.
And when teams like the Yankees are willing to add said players to their organization, it’s a moment of joy – for the player and also the fans. Baseball fans criticize New York often because of its team salary and “Evil Empire” persona.
But no fan can condemn the Yankees for taking a chance on Farquhar and allowing him to pitch once again after a life-threatening injury.