Tyler Kepner has a great article about Matt DeSalvo:
After a few adjustments in his delivery, in which he creates deception by turning his back to the hitter, DeSalvo regained his confidence. Then came a call from his agent telling him the Yankees had cut him to clear space for the free-agent infielder Miguel Cairo.
DeSalvo hung up and called Newman, who explained that the team was gambling he could get through waivers coming off such a poor season.
"I'm not sure he felt good when we were finished, but at least he knew the rules and the facts," Newman said. "Typically, guys will have an agent call for them, but I really appreciate it when a player calls, because then we can communicate without a third party."
No team took a chance on DeSalvo, who had won the organization's pitcher of the year award for Trenton in 2005. The Yankees invited him to spring training, where his stuff looked sharp and so did his mind.
It's amazing that he made it back to the majors so fast, but the Yanks needed help and this kid has answered the bell. What's been impressive is that in his both starts that lasted into the seventh, his pitch count never hit the 90 mark. Thursday against the White Sox will be a very interesting start for this rookie. Seattle doesn't have a bad team, but Chicago has some real lumber in their lineup. And he only has another 200 books to go. Let's hope he reads them in the Bronx.