NEW YORK — Persistent relief struggles have turned the bullpen into the team’s most glaring weakness entering October. The New York Yankees are set to make surprising postseason roster cuts, with trade deadline additions likely excluded. A former All-Star closer could be sidelined, while rookies move into bullpen roles.
Trade deadline moves backfiring as October nears
The New York Yankees are approaching the postseason with tough roster calls ahead. Several pitchers acquired at the trade deadline may not make the October cut, a surprising turn for a group brought in with high expectations.
Relievers Camilo Doval and Jake Bird headline the list of disappointments. Doval, a former All-Star closer, has struggled in pinstripes since joining from the Giants. He owns a 5.87 ERA across 18 appearances, allowing 14 runs on 19 hits in 15.1 innings. He has also blown two saves, and his once-dominant strikeout ability has faded.
Bird’s fate has been even harsher. After a rough first showing in a Yankees uniform, he was optioned to Triple-A and has stayed there. Both pitchers were expected to stabilize the bullpen but may be left off the roster altogether, according to NJ.com’s Max Goodman.
Rookie starters may save struggling bullpen
With the bullpen faltering, the Yankees are considering a bold strategy. Rookie starter Cam Schlittler could shift into a relief role for October. The right-hander has impressed across his first 12 career starts, carrying a 3.41 ERA. His fastball reaches the upper 90s, and his arsenal suggests he could thrive in high-pressure situations.
Pitching coach Matt Blake hinted that Schlittler and fellow rookie Will Warren are likely to be included on the postseason roster, even if not in starting roles. Ryan Yarbrough would join them as a long reliever.
That setup could push Doval, Bird, Mark Leiter Jr., Yerry De Los Santos, Ian Hamilton, and Brent Headrick off the roster, Goodman projected.
Yankees facing wild card reality after division hopes fade
The Yankees’ AL East title chase is effectively over. Toronto holds a commanding lead with less than two weeks left in the regular season. New York now sits in the wild card mix, positioned as the No. 4 seed. That slot would match them against either Boston or Houston in the opening round.
The Yankees still control their playoff path. They hold a two-game lead over Boston in the standings, though the Red Sox own the head-to-head tiebreaker. With the division gone, roster construction becomes critical for a short wild card series.
The bullpen has been a season-long concern. Despite trades and shuffling, the unit has failed to provide stability, forcing the Yankees to consider unconventional fixes.
Young pitchers provide hope amid bullpen chaos
Will Warren is another candidate to bolster the relief corps. Though primarily a starter, he has shown consistency throughout his rookie season, aside from a few shaky outings. His ability to provide multiple innings could prove valuable in October.
The Yankees’ plan echoes successful postseason strategies from other teams. In short series, managers often rely on extra starters in relief to maximize their strongest arms. New York’s depth of young pitching makes that option realistic.
Blake confirmed that Luis Gil, Schlittler, and Warren would all be on the playoff roster, regardless of whether they start. Their emergence shows how much the Yankees are counting on rookies to deliver in high-leverage moments.
Deadline acquisitions fighting for roster spots
Leiter Jr. is another reliever whose October status is uncertain. He brought playoff experience from last season but has slipped lately, pitching to a 5.32 ERA. His resume may not be enough to outweigh recent struggles.
The Yankees are expected to carry 15 position players and 11 pitchers, a balance they used in last year’s Division Series. That leaves little room for veterans who have underperformed.
Hamilton, De Los Santos, and Headrick fall into the same category. All have contributed at points this year, but the Yankees appear ready to prioritize potential upside over track record when deciding who travels to October.
Season-long struggles expose bullpen’s critical flaws
The numbers tell the story. Entering the final weeks, the bullpen owns a 4.57 ERA and 1.346 WHIP. They have blown 21 saves while converting 40, a save percentage of 65.6. Among playoff-bound clubs, no bullpen has been worse.
For comparison, last year’s relief unit was a strength. During the Yankees’ 2024 pennant run, the bullpen posted a 2.67 ERA over 14 playoff games. That performance carried them to the World Series. The drop-off in 2025 has been striking.
Devin Williams has been inconsistent since arriving in the trade with Milwaukee, while Leiter Jr. has produced negative WAR despite heavy usage. Both were expected to anchor the group, but neither has met expectations.
The bullpen’s issues have overshadowed the rest of the roster. The Yankees’ rotation ranks fourth in MLB with a 3.63 ERA. Their offense is among the league’s most productive. But late-game collapses have cost too many wins, putting October success in jeopardy.
Bullpen construction critical for playoff success
October will test the Yankees’ ability to manage their relief corps. In a three-game wild card series, one bullpen mistake could end the season. Boone is expected to lean on closer David Bednar and setup options Luke Weaver, Fernando Cruz, and Williams in multiple appearances.
The compressed postseason schedule means every arm must be sharp. That urgency explains the consideration of moving Schlittler and Warren into relief. Shorter stints could push their velocity higher and add a weapon the bullpen has lacked all year.
The final roster choices may hinge on the remaining regular season games. Doval still has a chance to pitch his way back into consideration. But his current form makes him a long shot.
The Yankees’ willingness to sideline recent trade acquisitions shows the urgency of October. For a team trying to return to the World Series, decisions will be guided by performance, not reputation.
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