The absence of Aaron Judge has been a significant concern for the New York Yankees. His prowess as a power hitter is pivotal to the team’s success, influencing whether they are strong contenders for the World Series.
In addition to issues with their batting lineup, the Yankees have faced notable injuries on the pitching front. As the team nears full strength, manager Aaron Boone is presented with a challenge: deciding which pitchers will remain in the starting rotation and who will move to the bullpen.
Carlos Rodon showcased progress by throwing a side session on Tuesday, and could potentially participate in live batting practice next week, according to a report from SNY.com. This development, along with Max Fried’s recent return, suggests that the Yankees may soon have access to their star rotation, featuring Cam Schlittler, Rodon, Fried, and Gerrit Cole.
With this restoration comes the need to adjust the roster, potentially moving some players into the bullpen. A total of eleven pitchers have started games for the Yankees this season. Schlitter leads with 21 starts, while Ryan Weathers and Will Warren have contributed the most innings following Schlitter, though performance has varied. Weathers shows slightly better underlying stats with a lower WHIP and higher strikeouts per nine innings, yet his 3-7 record is hard to ignore.
Warren made his second career relief appearance in New York’s 2-0 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates, indicating Boone’s possible interest in testing the 27-year-old right-handed pitcher in a relief role.
With a lineup that significantly relies on pitchers over 30, the Yankees remain at risk of further rotation injuries. This means that any decision made regarding their current lineup might not be permanent.
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