Veteran Yankees pitcher gives Cashman unexpected respite amid injury crisis

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The New York Yankees are grappling with a series of injuries that have significantly impacted their roster ahead of the 2025 MLB season. Most notably, ace pitcher Gerrit Cole is set to undergo Tommy John surgery, sidelining him for the entire season.

A day before it became official, Yankees GM Brian Cashman put up a brave face as all eyes were on his move to navigate the injury crisis.

“[I’m] prepared for the worst,” he said. “We will see how it plays out. I’m always wired to think the worst and hope for the best…..Obviously not what you want, but it’s ultimately part of our journey here in 2025.”

Perhaps, he finds respite in this challenging landscape, as veteran pitcher Carlos Carrasco has stepped up, offering a beacon of hope for the team’s rotation.

Gerrit Cole’s season-ending surgery shock to Yankees

Gerrit Cole, a six-time All-Star and the 2023 American League Cy Young Award winner, experienced discomfort following a spring training outing against the Minnesota Twins. Subsequent evaluations revealed the need for Tommy John surgery, a procedure that typically requires 12 to 18 months of recovery. This devastating development removes the Yankees‘ undisputed ace from a rotation that was projected to be among baseball’s best.

Carlos Carrasco’s resurgence minimizes damage

In light of Cole’s absence, the Yankees are looking to bolster their pitching staff, and Carlos Carrasco has emerged as a viable candidate. The 37-year-old right-hander, boasting a 15-year MLB career, signed a minor league contract with the Yankees this offseason. Throughout spring training, Carrasco has impressed, recording a 2.35 ERA over 7 2/3 innings, with six strikeouts.

Carrasco’s journey has been marked by resilience. After overcoming a leukemia diagnosis in 2019, he returned to deliver commendable performances in subsequent seasons. His tenure includes a standout period with Cleveland from 2015 to 2018, during which he amassed a 60–36 record, including an 18-win season in 2017.

As the Yankees navigate this period of adversity, Carrasco’s experience and recent form could play a pivotal role in stabilizing the rotation. His refined approach this spring, focusing on his sinker-changeup combination while adding velocity to his fastball, suggests the potential for a career renaissance. The team opens their 2025 campaign on March 27 against the Houston Astros, beginning what promises to be a season defined by adaptation and resilience—qualities that Carrasco has demonstrated throughout his career.

Cole-less Yankees’ rotation adjustments

With Cole’s unavailability and Luis Gil sidelined due to a right lat strain, the Yankees are restructuring their rotation. Max Fried is anticipated to assume the role of Opening Day starter, accompanied by Carlos Rodón, Marcus Stroman, and Clarke Schmidt. The fifth spot remains open, with Carrasco and rookie Will Warren as leading contenders. Warren has showcased potential this spring, pitching to a 1.54 ERA across 11 2/3 innings.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone acknowledges the challenges posed by these injuries but remains optimistic about the team’s depth. The organization has emphasized pitching depth throughout the offseason, foresight that now appears prescient given the current circumstances. Despite the setbacks, the clubhouse maintains a positive outlook, focusing on the opportunities created for other talented arms in the system.

The organization’s response to these pitching challenges will likely define their championship aspirations, as they seeks to return to the World Series for the first time since 2009. For Carrasco, this situation presents perhaps a final opportunity to prove his value at the major league level after struggling with the Mets over the past two seasons.

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