Sunday’s 5-4 extra-inning defeat to the Pittsburgh Pirates did more than snap the New York Yankees’ winning streak — it highlighted an impending decision regarding their starting rotation.
Rookie right-hander Will Warren, central to this rotation conversation, surrendered four earned runs across four innings, elevating his ERA to 6.00 after two starts. With Clarke Schmidt targeting a mid-April return following an impressive rehab outing, manager Aaron Boone and the front office must now decide whether to keep Warren in the rotation or pivot to veteran Carlos Carrasco, who remains another option. In all likelihood, the rookie is set to get the axe.
Warren starts strong, fades fast
Warren, 25, began impressively on Sunday, retiring eight consecutive Pirates batters. His fortunes turned in the third inning, however. After issuing a two-out walk followed by a single, Bryan Reynolds drove a two-run double to break the scoreless tie. That inning alone required 37 pitches, significantly impacting Warren’s pitch count.
“There was a lot of good in there, mixed with little spots where he lost it,” Boone observed. “He had a lot of deep counts today, which drove his work up.”
In the fourth, Warren surrendered two additional runs — one on Tommy Pham’s sacrifice fly and another via Isiah Kiner-Falefa’s run-scoring double. He finished with five strikeouts against one walk, later acknowledging that two-out walks proved particularly costly.
“That’s where they get you,” Warren admitted. “You’ve got to be more efficient.”
Through his initial two 2025 starts, Warren has logged nine innings, yielding seven hits and five walks while striking out nine. Though the sample remains limited, the Yankees recognize the importance of maintaining rotation excellence.
Schmidt impresses in rehab, return looms
Schmidt, working back from a minor injury, delivered a sharp rehab performance over the weekend and appears set to rejoin the major league roster next week. Last season marked significant progress for Schmidt, who posted a 4.18 ERA with 149 strikeouts across 159 innings.
His return would create congestion in the Yankees’ rotation, currently featuring Gerrit Cole (injured), Marcus Stroman, Carlos Rodón, Will Warren, and Carrasco. Schmidt’s improved command and growing confidence position him as a leading candidate to reclaim his spot.
Carrasco or Warren: Who stays?
Carrasco, 38, provides veteran experience and has shown improvement since a rough bullpen appearance in late March. He secured a victory against Arizona on Thursday, allowing three runs over 5⅓ innings. However, his 7.36 ERA across 7⅓ innings illustrates the inconsistency that has characterized his recent seasons.
The Yankees could option Warren to Triple-A, where he has minor-league flexibility. Carrasco lacks such options and would require designation for assignment to leave the roster — a riskier move for a team prioritizing pitching depth.
Boone has remained noncommittal about the direction.
Boone avoided committing to a specific plan, stating they weren’t looking that far ahead yet. However, he suggested that upcoming performances would play a significant role in their ultimate decision. This squarely puts Warren on notice.
Ex-Yankees proves to be the nemesis
Pirates starter Andrew Heaney — who briefly wore pinstripes in 2021 — turned in a masterful seven-inning performance, striking out 10 while allowing just one run on five hits. Boone acknowledged the left-hander’s effectiveness.
Boone complimented Heaney’s diverse pitch selection, observing that the left-hander utilized his full arsenal effectively.
“He used kind of everything, and even from the side over there, he just seemed very unpredictable,” the Yankees manager remarked. “We had some pitches to hit that we didn’t take advantage of, but for the most part, he pitched pretty good.”
Heaney’s dominance neutralized a Yankees offense that had launched 25 home runs in their first eight games, matching a record set by the 2000 Cardinals. Sunday marked just their second homerless game of 2025.
Jazz Chisholm and Peraza shine despite loss
Jazz Chisholm Jr. contributed an early run-scoring double, continuing his productive start in New York, while Oswald Peraza and Grisham combined for three RBIs during the late-inning comeback. The Yankees’ offense, though subdued for much of the afternoon, displayed commendable fight when it mattered most.
“It was a little bit of a tough day for us offensively,” Boone acknowledged. “But what a great rally there in the ninth to get us back into it.”
Rotation decision looms large
With Clarke Schmidt nearing readiness, the Yankees approach a pivotal decision that could reshape their early-season pitching strategy. Warren’s raw potential and minor-league flexibility provide options, while Carrasco’s experience and Schmidt’s readiness might necessitate a temporary reassignment for the rookie.
Either way, the upcoming rotation turn — and how both Warren and Carrasco perform in the interim — will likely determine who remains in the starting five.
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