The New York Yankees have sent right-hander Will Warren back to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, despite his strong showing in the team’s 10-2 victory over the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday.
The move, reported by Greg Joyce of the New York Post and confirmed by the Yankees on social media, came Thursday morning.
Will Warren’s performance vs. the White Sox
Will Warren delivered a solid performance in his spot start, allowing two runs over five innings. Though he didn’t earn the decision, Warren’s efforts were instrumental in the Yankees’ win. He allowed seven hits but avoided issuing any walks while striking out five batters, showcasing the potential that has caught the attention of the Yankees’ coaching staff.
The 25-year-old right-hander’s only real blemishes came from White Sox first baseman Gavin Sheets, who hit a solo home run in the second inning and added an RBI single in the fourth. Despite this, Warren was able to generate 11 swings and misses, with his sinker and four-seam fastball being particularly effective.
Boone’s praise for Will Warren
Yankees manager Aaron Boone was complimentary of Warren’s performance, emphasizing the young pitcher’s potential. “You see it all there, what he’s capable of doing,” Boone said after the game. “Still work to do for him, but you see the weapons of a guy that’s capable of being a really good starter in this league. Proud of his effort and his presence out there tonight.”
Will Warren’s latest outing marked a positive step forward after struggling in his previous start against the Los Angeles Angels on August 7, where he gave up eight earned runs in just over four innings. Reflecting on that rough start, Warren noted the adjustments he made for Wednesday’s game. “Looking back at last outing, trying to be a little too perfect from the jump instead of just trusting it,” Warren said. “I’m here for a reason. They believe in me. I believe in myself. I’ve got to go out there and pitch like that. I think tonight, that’s the difference.”
One of the standout aspects of Will Warren’s game has been his strikeout ability. The Southeastern Louisiana product has recorded at least five strikeouts in each of his three starts this season, maintaining an impressive 10.43 strikeouts per nine innings. His ability to miss bats was on full display against the White Sox, as he consistently kept their hitters off balance.
Why the Yankees made the move
Will Warren’s opportunity to start on Wednesday arose because of a need for an extra arm, with both Carlos Rodon and Gerrit Cole having pitched during Saturday’s doubleheader against the Texas Rangers. The Yankees needed a starter for their final game in Chicago, and Warren stepped up to fill the gap.
Despite his solid outing, the Yankees have opted to send Warren back to Triple-A, where he will rejoin the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre rotation. With the Yankees facing a tight schedule and needing to manage their pitching staff carefully, Warren is likely to be one of the first options called upon if the team requires another starter in the near future.
While Will Warren still has work to do, his recent performance indicates that he could be a valuable asset for the Yankees down the stretch. Boone’s comments suggest that the organization sees Warren as a potential future starter in the major leagues. For now, Warren will continue to hone his craft at the Triple-A level, ready to step up whenever the Yankees need him.
What do you think? Leave your comment below.
With a day off a week essentially for the rest of the season, to send him down right now is taking a big chance. Besides, now, he’s not going to pitch back down in AAA before next Tuesday.