default-cbs-image

Nathan Eovaldi has faced questions about his long-term viability as a starting pitcher since before he joined the Yankees, largely due to what was a lacking third pitch before he developed a splitter. Lately, those questions have resurfaced following a dreadful six-start stretch that saw him allow 45 hits, 31 runs, and 12 homers over 30 1/3 innings.

On Monday, we learned that Eovaldi is indeed heading to the bullpen temporarily ... at least for now:

Eovaldi, for his part, doesn't seem juiced abut the whole deal , telling the Associated Press, "Yeah, I started as a starter and I want to finish as a starter. I see myself as a starter, so I'm not seeing it as that right now. I'm just here to help the team and we're short on guys and I'm ready." Fair enough.

Whether it has to do with ego, money or other factors, the truth is, it's never easy for a player to accept a lesser role. Oftentimes, the player has to be forced into the new role in order to embrace it. Sadly, Eovaldi might not be far away from that point, either by virtue of him continuing to pitch well, or by virtue of Chad Green making the most of his chance.

Such a transition, if it does occur soon, doesn't have to be a bad thing, however. Eovaldi needn't look further than Dellin Betances and Andrew Miller for evidence that there's life-after-starting for pitchers with good stuff. What's stopping him from taking his high-powered fastball and his splitter and his slider to the 'pen enjoying that kind of success? Perhaps only himself, and, well, maybe time.