The New York Yankees informally set their Opening Day bullpen on Sunday evening after another round of roster cuts. However, the term “informally” is important here, as several veteran players are still available on the market.
Notably, Adam Ottavino (Boston) and Ryan Yarbrough (Blue Jays) became free agents after being told they wouldn’t be part of their teams’ Opening Day rosters. The Yankees have a history of picking up experienced players like these to strengthen their bullpen when possible.
For now, though, feel-good story Wilking Rodriguez has been assigned to the minor leagues. The 35-year-old right-hander made two big league appearances with the 2014 Kansas City Royals and has been working to return to the majors, even adding a few extra miles per hour to his fastball. However, without a spot on the 40-man roster, his path to the big leagues became even more challenging. While he’s made a positive impression in camp, for now, the Yankees’ bullpen is set to include Yoendrys Gomez, Brent Headrick, and Yerry De Los Santos. But things could change if the team decides to make a move in the coming days.
The Yankees’ Opening Day bullpen is currently expected to feature Gomez (who’s out of minor league options), Headrick, and De Los Santos, unless an external move is made. Gomez has been particularly impressive, posting an 11 1/3-inning spring shutout across seven appearances, while Headrick has been stretched out recently, including a solid two-inning outing against the Tigers on Friday.
De Los Santos, a bit of a wild card, struggled on Sunday, allowing a run that gave up Max Fried’s third run. However, he has struck out nine batters in 9 1/3 innings during camp, posting a solid 1.93 ERA, though his 1.39 WHIP is concerning. He is protected on the 40-man roster and had two minor league options left when he signed with the Yankees during the 2023-24 offseason. While the Yankees are theoretically comfortable with starting the season with De Los Santos, his spot could be in jeopardy, especially as more players become available on the market. While the search for a right-handed bat has dominated recent attention, the bullpen’s final spots also remain a potential area for improvement, especially given the injuries to Scott Effross, Jake Cousins, JT Brubaker, Clayton Beeter, and Ian Hamilton.
The New York Yankees are hinting at a smart strategy for Clarke Schmidt as they work through the Opening Day rotation debate. Heading into 2025 spring training, the Yankees were flush with rotation options, with Gerrit Cole and Max Fried as co-aces. Carlos Carrasco was expected to be a backup plan, with the assumption that if he found his way into the rotation, it would be due to an issue with the roster.
However, after a month of spring training, that assumption has changed. Several injuries, including Cole’s extended absence and the potential later arrival of Luis Gil, have depleted the Yankees’ pitching depth. On the other hand, Carrasco has been surprisingly effective, making him a valuable option the Yankees can’t afford to lose. With a solid spring performance, including 11 innings, 12 strikeouts, and a 2.45 ERA, the Yankees should keep Carrasco on the roster to prevent him from opting out and seeking an opportunity elsewhere.
But how will they fit Carrasco into the rotation? Could they really demote Will Warren, a standout this spring, to keep the veteran around? The Yankees’ solution might involve both. While Schmidt is feeling strong after his bullpen session, he’s not yet built up for an early-season start. He’s hopeful to pitch in Game 6, but the Yankees might opt for a five-man rotation to start the season, allowing Schmidt more time to prepare.
This plan seems to be the Yankees’ current approach. Their Opening Day rotation will likely feature Carlos Rodón, Max Fried, Marcus Stroman, Will Warren, and Carlos Carrasco, with Schmidt potentially starting the season on the injured list. While this isn’t the ideal rotation some might have envisioned a few weeks ago, keeping Carrasco on the roster makes sense for asset management. If Schmidt isn’t ready for Opening Day, carrying both Carrasco and Warren is a logical move.
Winans, too, has been considered for the Opening Day roster as a long reliever, so the Yankees have several viable options. They can’t afford to pass up on quality arms, and slow-playing Schmidt while keeping the roster flexible will help optimize their pitching staff in the early part of the season.
About The Author
