The Yankees’ starting rotation for the upcoming regular season is now set.
Pitching prospect Will Warren will join non-roster invitee Carlos Carrasco to complete the starting staff, as the team deals with several injuries among their regular starters. Manager Aaron Boone informed Warren of the news on Sunday morning.
“I came into camp with that as the goal,” Warren said following the Yankees’ 3-3 tie with the Rays. “To hear it from Boonie’s mouth was super exciting.” Warren is scheduled to pitch in Game 4 of the season against the Diamondbacks, as confirmed by Boone. Here’s how the Yankees’ rotation will look to start the season, beginning Thursday at Yankee Stadium:
Game 1 (March 27): Carlos Rodón vs. Milwaukee Brewers
Game 2 (March 29): Max Fried vs. Milwaukee Brewers
Game 3 (March 30): Marcus Stroman vs. Milwaukee Brewers
Game 4 (April 1): Will Warren vs. Arizona Diamondbacks
Game 5 (April 2): TBD
Boone mentioned that Carrasco could take the mound for Game 5, with the possibility of him debuting in Game 6 or 7. Thanks to off days during the first homestand, the Yankees have flexibility. Rodón is lined up to pitch on six days of rest for Game 5, so he might start against Arizona instead.
For Warren, this well-earned opportunity follows a strong showing in Grapefruit League play. He entered camp with the goal of making the team, and his performance earned him the spot. Injuries to Gerrit Cole, Luis Gil, and Clarke Schmidt also played a role in creating this opening.
Cole will miss the entire season after Tommy John surgery, Gil is out for over three months with a high-grade lat strain, and Schmidt will miss the start of the season due to a recent shoulder setback.
“Excited about him and his future,” Boone said of Warren. “Like the strides he’s made. I think last year he flashed it all. We saw glimpses of it. Took his lumps too. I think it’s improved over the winter. Has improved this spring. And he’s earned this opportunity.”
Boone has a general idea of what the rest of the Yankees’ 26-man roster will look like, but he’s holding off on announcing certain players due to potential moves in the next few days.
“I think we know who we’re going to go with,” Boone said. “Industry-wise, things can still happen that you never know over the next couple of days. There’s always that possibility that changes things, otherwise pretty close.”
While the bullpen and bench are still being finalized, backup catcher J.C. Escarra was informed by Boone on Saturday that he has made the team.
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