Gerrit Cole hasn’t thrown a pitch this season. His impact, however, remains profound throughout the Yankees organization.
The injured Yankees ace has transformed into a mentor. No one has benefited more than Will Warren.
Warren, 25, dominated the Rangers in Tuesday’s 5-2 victory at Yankee Stadium. The rookie right-hander struck out 10 batters across 5⅔ innings. He scattered five hits and issued just one walk.
This performance crowned a remarkable turnaround. Warren has evolved from a depth option to a rotation cornerstone. Behind his ascent stands Cole, the sidelined Cy Young winner whose voice carries weight in the Yankees clubhouse.
Cole’s new role: Ace mentor in Yankees dugout
Cole underwent Tommy John surgery in February. The procedure sidelined him for the entire 2025 campaign.
Rather than distance himself, the 34-year-old veteran has embedded himself within the Yankees’ daily operations. He focuses particularly on developing young talent. Warren has become his primary pupil.
“Whenever he pulls me aside,” Warren said, “I’m going to listen.”
Their conversations happen organically. They talk between weight room sessions, during treatment, or in the dugout. Cole remains intensely engaged with the Yankees’ pitching strategy. He offers small insights that produce significant results.
Recent discussions centered on eliminating “big misses.” Cole emphasized throwing more competitive pitches. Warren shifted from simply hitting the zone to disrupting hitters’ timing and perception.
“Even if they’re balls,” the Yankees rookie pitcher said, “did they do something? Did they change the hitter’s eyesight? Is he now looking over there? Stuff like that.”
They’ve also worked on what Cole calls “winning the race to two strikes.” This approach helps Warren gain control earlier in counts.
“Week to week,” he added, “I’m working on something different.”
Rising to the occasion
Warren struggled early this season. He entered May with a bloated 5.63 ERA across six starts. Since then, he’s pitched like a veteran.
His last four outings tell the story: 2-1 record, 2.38 ERA, 34 strikeouts, and just five walks. He’s fanned at least seven batters in each appearance.
His season numbers now stand at 3-2 with a 4.05 ERA. Warren has solidified a Yankees rotation that’s thrived despite missing its top arm.
“I’ve seen him making huge strides the past couple of starts,” Aaron Judge said. “He’s going to be a big piece for us down the road, and he’s a big piece for us right now.”
Tuesday showcased Warren’s huge stride. He struck out five of the first seven hitters he faced. When trouble emerged in the fifth, he remained poised. He froze Marcus Semien with a perfectly placed sinker to escape a bases-loaded jam.
“He’s just putting it together a little bit more now,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. “Just that next wave of execution to really finish off outings or allow you to really pitch effectively, staying away from the big mistake.”
Boone highlighted Warren’s fastball command and pitch variety. Both his four-seamer and sinker proved effective. The Yankees’ rookie pitcher generated 13 whiffs on 43 swings—30% of all swings against him.
Support from across the staff
Warren isn’t Cole’s only mentee. Max Fried, the staff’s current leader with a 6-0 record and 1.29 ERA, acknowledges Cole’s continued involvement.
“He sends me some notes and texts after he starts,” Fried said. “Being able to just hear his feedback… I want to try to keep him involved and in the know as much as I can.”
Carlos Carrasco, currently in Triple-A, marveled at Cole’s attention to detail. The Yankees veteran once overheard Cole reviewing a game with a younger pitcher.
“He’s above and beyond,” Carrasco said. “Even though he’s on the IL, he pays attention to the games. That was unbelievable.”
Cole’s reputation as a “pitching junkie” has only grown. His leadership produces tangible results across the staff.
Warren 2.0: From fringe to foundation
Warren’s development transcends statistics. It reflects growing confidence and trust.
His 2024 debut showed potential but inconsistency. He bounced between Triple-A and the majors five times. He finished with a disastrous 10.32 ERA in six appearances.
This season brought stability. Warren credits his routine and staff relationships for the turnaround.
“It’s not, ‘Hey, you need to do this,'” Warren said. “It’s, ‘Hey, let’s have a conversation about this. What do you like here? This is what I’m seeing.”
Carlos Rodon has offered mechanical insights. The Yankees’ pitching room fosters collaboration. This environment nurtures young starters still finding their footing.
“Feeling good,” Warren said. “Just trying to keep it rolling.”
Bigger stakes ahead
The Yankees find themselves in an unexpected position. They’re without their ace but boast one of baseball’s elite rotations. Their staff ranks among MLB’s top three in ERA through late May.
Fried, Rodón, and Warren have shouldered the burden admirably.
Cole won’t throw a competitive pitch until 2026. His influence, however, permeates the organization. If Warren’s progression continues, Cole may deliver his greatest contribution to the Yankees’ championship hopes from outside the lines.
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