Cortes to bullpen? Yankees rotation shuffle confronts tricky equation
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Follow UsThe Yankees have confirmed that rookie right-hander Luis Gil will be activated from the 15-day injured list as expected. Despite a tough rehab outing in Double-A, Gil is set to start against the Cubs at Wrigley Field, likely taking the mound on Friday or Saturday.
Clarke Schmidt is also on track to rejoin the rotation after recovering from a lat strain that has sidelined him since late May. Schmidt is scheduled for a final rehab start with Double-A Somerset on Monday before making his return to Chicago, potentially starting on Saturday or Sunday.
With both pitchers returning, the Yankees face a significant rotation decision. Rookie Will Warren has already been optioned to Triple-A, so the team only needs to trim their bullpen from nine to eight relievers to make room for one of the starters. However, adding the second starter will require moving a current rotation member to the bullpen unless another injury arises.
The Yankees’ decision regarding their rotation may ultimately hinge on what they believe will be most beneficial for their October aspirations, although their September performance remains crucial as they hold a narrow lead in the AL East over the Orioles.
As it stands, the current rotation features Cole, Carlos Rodon, and Marcus Stroman for the ongoing series. Following a day off, both Gil and Nestor Cortes would be available on regular rest for the series opener against the Cubs.
Cole’s position in the rotation seems secure, health permitting, as he continues to find his rhythm after a prolonged absence due to elbow issues. Rodon is likely to retain his spot despite recent inconsistencies, while Stroman has shown improvement in his last four starts after addressing mechanical issues. Cortes, however, experienced a setback in his most recent outing.
The Yankees faced a potential setback on Monday evening when Gerrit Cole exited his start in the seventh inning, accompanied by a trainer. However, if Cole’s right calf cramp proves to be minor, as initially reported, the team will need to make some tough decisions regarding their rotation in the near future.
Schmidt, sidelined since late May with a lat strain, had impressed earlier in the season and has been building up his stamina during rehabilitation. Both he and Cortes have experience in relief roles, potentially offering flexibility.
Should the Yankees move Cortes to the bullpen?
Left-hander Nestor Cortes appears to be the most likely candidate for a bullpen assignment. Cortes, who leads the staff in innings pitched and has the second-best WHIP among Yankees starters, struggled in his recent outing against the Cardinals, giving up five runs in four innings. Although he had a string of three strong starts prior to that game, his 8-10 record is the worst among the rotation, and his 4.08 ERA ranks second-highest behind Carlos Rodon’s 4.31.
Rodon, meanwhile, remains secure in the rotation, leading the Yankees with 14 wins, 13 quality starts, and 161 strikeouts, making him an integral part of the pitching staff.
The Yankees are staying true to their approach of keeping pitching rotation decisions fluid, opting to wait on Clarke Schmidt’s final rehab outing and monitor the health of their current starters throughout the week.
Nestor Cortes appears to be the most likely candidate for a bullpen shift, given his past success in middle or long relief roles. Meanwhile, Marcus Stroman has solidified his spot in the rotation with a stellar run, posting a 3-0 record and a 2.35 ERA over his last four starts. On the season, Stroman has been consistent, holding a 10-6 record with a 3.81 ERA across 26 starts.
Yankees stand by Gil
Despite some recent struggles, the Yankees remain committed to keeping Luis Gil in the rotation. Gil has had a rocky stretch, with a 3-5 record and a 5.28 ERA over his last 10 starts, following a promising start to the year. His latest rehab outing for Double-A Somerset saw him give up three runs over 3.2 innings, and there are growing concerns about his workload. Gil has already logged 128.1 innings this season, a significant jump from his limited action over the previous two years due to Tommy John surgery.
Luis Gil is anticipated to rejoin the Yankees’ rotation this weekend at Wrigley Field against the Cubs, following an 80-pitch rehab start on Sunday. He presents an intriguing case as a potential game-changer. After a stellar start to the season, he faced struggles before regaining form prior to a lower back injury. While his innings count is a concern, potentially making a bullpen role appealing, Gil expressed confidence in his ability to recapture his early-season dominance as a starter.
Manager Aaron Boone suggested that the Yankees might temporarily implement a six-man rotation to accommodate Gil and Schmidt’s return. However, he emphasized that this arrangement would not be sustainable for the remainder of the season, implying that a challenging decision lies ahead.
“We’ll see,” Boone said. “We’re not at that point yet. Hopefully a decision is not made for us because something comes up or something happens. When we get to that point, hopefully we’re in a position that we have to make a tough call on somebody. We’ll do that when we have to do it. We’ll work through that here over the next 24-48 hours.”
Boone expressed hope that the situation would resolve itself naturally, perhaps through unforeseen circumstances. He acknowledged the difficulty of potentially having to make a tough call on a pitcher’s role when the time comes.
Additionally, Boone hinted at the possibility of employing alternative strategies, such as having two starters share game responsibilities. He indicated that the team would be deliberating on these options over the next day or two.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone acknowledged the ups and downs of Gil’s recent rehab start, noting that while his overall performance was solid, the first inning was particularly taxing. Boone praised the quality of Gil’s pitches and his ability to generate swings and misses.
A potential move of Cortes to the bullpen could be delayed if the Yankees opt for a temporary six-man rotation for one cycle, a decision that would give Gerrit Cole two extra days of rest before his next start. Boone mentioned that the team is exploring all options and expects to finalize their decision in the coming days, factoring in the team’s off day on Thursday.
The team faces a complex decision, balancing immediate needs with long-term strategy as they navigate this pivotal stretch of the season.
What do you think? Leave your comment below.
- Categories: Clarke Schmidt, luis gil, marcus stroman, nestor cortes, Yankees rotation
- Tags: Clarke Schmidt, luis gil, marcus stroman, nestor cortes, Yankees rotation
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With both Gil and Schmidt just about ready, and maybe even Poteet, I can see where it won’t matter who starts or who comes out of the pen, because I think pretty much every SP will be on some sort of innings limit to keep everyone ready and stretched out. I can see Stroman being pulled after 5, with Gil or Schmidt going the last 4. Or a guy is struggling, but hasn’t been bombed, he could become before 4, use a reliever to get out of that inning, then maybe Cortes comes in.