Although it's only spring training, the performances of the Yankees back-end starters have surely been encouraging thus far.
On Friday night, Bartolo Colon pitched three scoreless innings against the Red Sox, allowing only two hits and striking out five batters.
His outing certainly bested the Boston lineup and impressed manager Joe Girardi.
"They're making it tough," Girardi said, according to the New York Daily News. "He knows how to pitch. He's going to challenge guys. He's going to try to locate. He's going to hold runners. He's going to do all those things.
"His command is really good and has always been really good," the Yankees manager added. "His changeup, from now to when I used to face him, has gotten a lot better."
The 37-year-old righty, Colon, was also impressed with his outing, throwing 35 of his 43 pitchers for strikes and opening the game with two perfect innings.
"I had better control today; much better," Colon said through an interpreter. "The reality is that this is only two games. There's more ahead; I have to keep going forward."
Colon isn't the only Yankees starting pitcher having success this early. Ivan Nova, Freddy Garcia and Sergio Mitre have combined for nine scoreless innings.
If Colon continues to look sharp, he could serve as the No. 4 or 5 starter come April.
