Yankees Face Rotation Challenges as Season Begins
Spring training is supposed to be a time of optimism and fresh starts, but for the New York Yankees, it’s been a bit of a rollercoaster ride. As the team prepares to break camp and head into the regular season, they’re facing some unexpected challenges in their starting rotation. Let’s dive into the latest developments from Tampa, Florida, where the Yankees are making some tough decisions.
First up, the news that right-hander Clarke Schmidt will begin the season on the injured list due to a shoulder injury. This announcement came from general manager Brian Cashman on Saturday, and it opens the door for veteran pitcher Carlos Carrasco to make the team as a non-roster invitee to spring training.
Schmidt’s injury is a blow to the Yankees, as he’s the third member of their projected starting rotation who will be unavailable for opening day. He’s joining the ranks of Gerrit Cole and Luis Gil, both of whom are also sidelined. Cole is out for the season after undergoing Tommy John surgery, while Gil will miss at least the first two months of the season.
Now, let’s talk about Schmidt. At 29, he had a solid season last year with a 2.85 ERA in 16 starts. The good news is that his shoulder injury is considered minor, and he shouldn’t miss too much time. However, it did disrupt his spring training, preventing him from building up the necessary pitch count. Schmidt has only appeared in one game this spring, throwing 38 pitches over 1⅔ innings. He also threw 32 pitches in a live batting practice session on Thursday. The Yankees want him to be ready to throw 70 to 80 pitches before he starts a regular-season game.
Cashman remains optimistic, saying, “He just hasn’t had a spring training yet. He’s certainly going in the right direction.”
Now, let’s shift our focus to Carlos Carrasco. At 38, Carrasco is a cancer survivor and has had a challenging couple of seasons, posting a 6.18 ERA in 41 starts. However, he’s been impressive this spring, compiling a 1.69 ERA across 16 innings in five outings. Cashman praised his performance, saying, “He’s had a good camp and obviously he’s earned the right to come north with us.”
As for the final vacant spot in the Yankees’ rotation, rookie Will Warren is the likely candidate. However, Cashman hasn’t confirmed whether the former top prospect will make the roster. Warren, 25, had a rough introduction to the majors last season, giving up 27 runs (26 earned) in 22⅔ innings over six games (five starts). Despite this, the team is encouraged by his spring performance, where he has a 4.19 ERA in 19⅓ innings across six outings.
In addition to the rotation news, Cashman also announced that right-handed reliever Ian Hamilton will start the season on the injured list. Hamilton, 29, made his Grapefruit League debut on Thursday, giving up a run on three hits in one inning after being sidelined with an infection.
- Clarke Schmidt: Shoulder injury, starting season on IL
- Gerrit Cole: Out for season, Tommy John surgery
- Luis Gil: Out for at least two months
- Carlos Carrasco: Impressive spring, makes roster
- Will Warren: Potential rotation spot, spring performance encouraging
- Ian Hamilton: Starting season on IL, infection recovery
As the Yankees head into the regular season, they’ll need to rely on their depth and resilience to navigate these early challenges. With a mix of seasoned veterans and promising rookies, the team is poised to tackle whatever comes their way. Stay tuned for more updates as the season unfolds!
Originally Written by: Jorge Castillo
