Yankees replace veteran Stroman with rookie Warren for Angels doubleheader

The Yankees have confirmed that Will Warren will be promoted as the 27th man to start the second game of Wednesday’s doubleheader against the Angels in The Bronx. Luis Gil, originally slated to pitch in Tuesday’s rain-postponed game, will start Game 1.

Warren made his major league debut for the Yankees last week against the Phillies, stepping in when Gerrit Cole was scratched due to general body fatigue. In his debut, Warren pitched 5 1/3 innings, allowing four runs, including a three-run homer by Austin Hays, but he showed resilience by retiring 12 of the last 14 batters he faced.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone praised Warren’s performance, noting his ability to recover from a tough start and finish strong, which set the team up for a win. Boone also highlighted that Warren has been performing well over the past month or two, expressing excitement about his next outing.

“I actually felt like even after getting punched in the mouth like that, he clamped down and got even better and finished the night really strong and set us up for a win,” the Yankees skipper told on Tuesday. “I feel like he’s been throwing the ball well now for a month or two. Excited to see him back out there.”

The 25-year-old Warren, who vied for the fifth starter position during spring training, experienced a rocky beginning to the season in Triple-A but turned things around in June.

Boone was particularly impressed by Warren’s poise and confidence during his debut at Citizens Bank Park against the Phillies. He acknowledged that while Warren might have been a bit nervous early on, he displayed confidence and skill against a tough lineup in a high-pressure setting.

“Probably was a little wound up early, but pitching against that lineup in Philly, felt like a big game, and he walks in with a lot of confidence [and the] stuff to back it up,” he said.

Warren’s upcoming start offers him a chance to build on his debut and further establish himself at the major league level.

Are the Yankees losing faith on Stroman?

After Tuesday night’s game against the Angels was canceled due to rain, despite clear skies at the time of the announcement, Marcus Stroman was seen briefly at his locker before leaving with his glove, indicating he was heading to complete a bullpen session before the expected rainfall.

While Stroman conducted his between-starts bullpen session, pitching coach Matt Blake was on the field supervising Clarke Schmidt‘s live batting practice, part of Schmidt’s rehab process. The Yankees are looking forward to Schmidt’s return from the injured list by the end of the month, following a three-month absence due to a lat strain. His return is highly anticipated given his strong performance when healthy and the recent inconsistency of other starters.

Manager Aaron Boone’s presence at Stroman’s bullpen session highlighted its importance. Stroman has struggled recently, allowing seven runs in just 2.2 innings during his latest loss to Toronto. Over his last 10 starts, he has posted a 6.32 ERA and has managed to pitch five or more innings in only half of those outings.

Given Stroman’s recent difficulties, the unexpected rainout could result in him being skipped in the rotation for his next scheduled start. Before the cancellation, the Yankees had planned for Luis Gil to start on Tuesday, followed by Nestor Cortes on Wednesday, and Stroman on Thursday in the three-game series against the Angels.

This scenario underscores the ongoing pitching challenges faced by the Yankees as they attempt to optimize their rotation amidst injuries and performance issues.

Following the postponement of Tuesday’s game, the Yankees rescheduled a doubleheader for Wednesday starting at 4:05 p.m. Luis Gil will start the first game, while rookie right-hander Will Warren will be called up from Triple-A to start the second game as the 27th man for the doubleheader.

Manager Aaron Boone commended Warren’s Major League debut last week against the Phillies, where he stepped in for the fatigued Gerrit Cole. Despite allowing four runs over 5.1 innings in a no-decision at Citizens Bank Park, Warren’s performance earned him another opportunity. The decision to call up Warren also allows the Yankees to potentially skip a starter later in the week, giving extra rest to Marcus Stroman, Nestor Cortes, and Cole.

Boone suggested that skipping a start for Stroman could provide him with time to refine his mechanics and pitches. Although Stroman started the season strong, his recent performances have been less consistent, leading to a 7-6 record with a 4.10 ERA.

Cortes, another candidate for being skipped, has struggled recently. Despite winning his last start, his recent outings have been problematic, with an 8.68 ERA over his last four starts and a 5.22 ERA since June.

Skipping a starter could also hint at potential changes when Clarke Schmidt returns. Schmidt had been one of the Yankees’ best starters before his injury, posting a 5-3 record with a 2.52 ERA in 11 starts.

Boone and pitching coach Matt Blake plan to review their options and finalize the rotation for the upcoming week. Boone mentioned he has already started conversations with some players and will continue to outline the plan.

This approach underscores the Yankees’ efforts to optimize their pitching rotation, manage performance issues, and prepare for the return of injured players.

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