Will Warren gave the Yankees exactly what they needed in his 2025 season debut: five innings of gritty, effective pitching that showcased his growth from last year’s struggles.
The 25-year-old right-hander allowed just one hit and two earned runs Tuesday against the Diamondbacks. He struck out four, walked four, and threw 85 pitches—46 for strikes. Despite the shaky command, Warren navigated traffic and limited damage, helping keep Arizona in check.
As of publication, the Yankees lead the Diamondbacks 4–2 with the game still in progress.
Command still an issue, but the stuff plays
While Will Warren’s control remained inconsistent—his four walks were a clear reminder—his pure stuff impressed. The reworked changeup and newly reintroduced curveball played well, especially against left-handed hitters, giving him more options when ahead in the count.
It’s a step forward for Will Warren, who entered the season with something to prove. Last year, his ERA ballooned to 10.32 in six big-league outings. This spring, with injuries to Gerrit Cole, Clarke Schmidt, and Luis Gil, the Yankees turned to Warren to open the season in the rotation.
Confidence, more than anything, seems to be the difference for Will Warren this year.
“I’m excited to see what Will Warren can do this season,” Aaron Judge said. “Every time I see him, every start he continues to get a little better, show something new. He’s gaining that confidence. That’s what it takes to succeed at this level.”
Will Warren echoed that sentiment before the season.
“Last year, sometimes the struggle came when I was like, ‘All right, this guy could handle this, so maybe I need to go away from that,’” he said. “This spring, it was like, ‘Four-seam fastball? Here it is. Let’s see what you can do with it.’”
Rotation spot is his—for now
With Cole and others due back later this season, Will Warren’s role isn’t locked in. But he’s made an early case that he can hold his own in the rotation.
The walks will need to come down, and getting ahead in counts will be key. But if Tuesday was any indication, Will Warren has the stuff—and now, maybe the mindset—to stick around.
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