As Opening Day looms just two weeks away, the New York Yankees appear set to choose experience over youth for their fifth rotation spot. According to YES Network analyst Jack Curry, the Bronx Bombers are leaning toward veteran right-hander Carlos Carrasco rather than promising prospect Will Warren to round out their starting staff.
“With the way [Aaron] Boone has raved about Carrasco’s swing-and-miss stuff, indications are that Carrasco is likely to be in the rotation,” Curry reported. “I see these two sides staying together. Yanks need rotation depth, so it would be unwise to lose Carrasco.”
Injury wave reshapes Yankees’ rotation plans
What was initially projected as one of baseball’s elite rotations has been significantly altered by a series of setbacks:
- Gerrit Cole – The Yankees’ undisputed ace underwent Tommy John surgery and will miss the entire 2025 campaign.
- Luis Gil – Fresh off winning AL Rookie of the Year honors, Gil sustained a high-grade lat strain expected to sideline him for at least three months.
- Clarke Schmidt – Penciled in as the fourth starter, Schmidt recently battled shoulder soreness, prompting cautious management of his workload.
With Max Fried, Carlos Rodón, Marcus Stroman, and potentially Schmidt occupying the first four spots, the Yankees must now determine who takes the final rotation position.
The fifth-starter showdown: Experience vs. potential
The Yankees’ decision comes down to two pitchers representing different development stages:
Carlos Carrasco: Banking on veteran arm
The 37-year-old Carrasco, in camp on a non-roster invitation, has quietly assembled an impressive spring resume that suggests he still possesses effective pitching tools. Through four appearances (including three starts), he’s compiled:
- 11 innings pitched
- 2.45 ERA
- 12 strikeouts
- 1.09 WHIP
Despite struggling with Cleveland last season (5.64 ERA across 21 starts), Carrasco has recaptured form this spring. The Yankees believe his ability to generate whiffs could provide valuable rotation insurance.
Contract considerations also factor prominently. Having signed a minor league deal containing an opt-out clause if he doesn’t make the Opening Day roster, Carrasco could walk away if not included in the rotation – potentially leaving the Yankees shorthanded at a time when pitching depth remains paramount.
Will Warren: The rising prospect
Warren, ranked eighth among Yankees prospects, has been equally impressive during Grapefruit League action. His spring numbers stand out:
- 15.2 innings pitched
- 2.87 ERA
- 16 strikeouts
- 0.77 WHIP
The 25-year-old right-hander has demonstrated major-league readiness throughout spring training. However, unlike Carrasco, Warren still possesses minor league options, allowing the Yankees to assign him to Triple-A without risk of losing him to another organization.
Curry highlighted this roster flexibility as crucial to the Yankees’ thinking. He noted that giving Carrasco the initial rotation spot enables the team to keep both pitchers in the organization. Curry added that Warren would almost certainly receive a promotion during the season, giving the Yankees an important insurance policy if injury problems persist.
Projected Yankees rotation
Barring unexpected developments, the Yankees’ rotation appears set:
- Max Fried (LHP)
- Carlos Rodón (LHP)
- Marcus Stroman (RHP)
- Clarke Schmidt (RHP)
- Carlos Carrasco (RHP)
While fifth-starter deliberations continue, Marcus Stroman prepares for significant responsibilities within the rotation. After signing a two-year, $37 million contract this offseason, the 33-year-old right-hander is positioned to be one of the team’s steadiest performers.
Stroman compiled a solid 2023 campaign with Chicago, posting a 3.95 ERA across 27 starts despite battling second-half injuries. His presence becomes even more vital following Cole’s season-ending surgery.
Strategic thinking: Depth over immediate upside
While Warren’s spring performance has certainly merited serious consideration for the rotation, the Yankees are prioritizing organizational pitching depth over immediate potential. Assigning Carrasco the fifth starter role preserves maximum roster flexibility while allowing Warren to continue developing at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
With the inevitable injuries and workload management that accompany a 162-game season, Warren’s major league debut seems merely delayed rather than denied. The Yankees recognize they’ll require additional pitching reinforcements throughout the marathon season.
For now, however, the organization appears committed to Carrasco’s experience and opt-out leverage, betting that the veteran’s presence provides the necessary stability for a rotation already navigating significant injury challenges.
One certainty remains: Warren has firmly established himself in the Yankees’ immediate pitching plans, virtually guaranteeing his arrival in the Bronx sometime in 2025.
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