The New York Yankees rotation has turned into a MASH unit, leaving the Bronx Bombers scrambling for answers as the season approaches.
Early last week, the Yankees learned they would be without reigning American League Rookie of the Year Luis Gil until at least June due to a high-grade lat strain in his right pitching shoulder.
It got worse, though, as 2023 AL Cy Young winner Gerrit Cole will miss the season due to Tommy John surgery. It’s the second consecutive spring training that Cole has dealt with an arm ailment. Last year, right elbow inflammation and edema delayed his season debut until June, limiting him to 22 total starts between the regular season and playoffs. It was the first time he didn’t make at least 30 starts for the Yankees in a full season.
That’s about 45 starts the Yankees will need to cover with Cole gone for the year and Gil missing the first three months. The Yankees will insert Marcus Stroman back into the rotation, despite an $18 million vesting option for 2026 if he hits 140 innings.
As for Cole’s spot, the Yankees will look toward Will Warren, or non-roster invitees Carlos Carrasco and Allan Winans.
However, fans shouldn’t expect the franchise to fill the roles from outside the organization.
New York Yankees GM Brian Cashman reveals team won’t go outside organization to fill injuries
According to FanGraphs, the Yankees’ luxury tax payroll for 2025 is $305.1 million — $4 million above the $301 million tax threshold, which means New York will face a 110% tax for every dollar over. That’s why, general manager Brian Cashman says, it’s “less likely” the team will pursue replacements not currently on the roster.
“We’ve obviously got big commitments already,” Cashman told MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch. “The inventory that is going to be available is going to be limited, and then there’s costs associated with those acquisitions. Some of it is in terms of prospect value. Some of it is in terms of money.”
Cashman added there is “very little available” among starting pitching this time of season. Free agent starters Kyle Gibson, Lance Lynn and Patrick Corbin are still available, but there’s still a reason why they remain unsigned in the middle of March.
“When we’ve had these conversations many a time over, you hope you can withstand injuries and avoid injuries early from Spring Training up through the Draft, because going outside the organization is just that much more difficult to do. So we’ll rely on what we have, and we’ll explore what is limited available in the marketplace,” noted Cashman.
With the Yankees not looking to add to their payroll and part with prospects, you won’t see San Diego Padres’ Dylan Cease or Miami Marlins’ Sandy Alcantara wearing pinstripes anytime soon.
The Yankees rotation currently looks like Max Fried, Carlos Rodon, Clarke Schmidt (who is dealing with a stiff back himself), and Stroman.
Now it doesn’t mean the Yankees won’t make a move come the trade deadline, but for now, fans shouldn’t expect anybody new.
