The starting pitching rotation that helped the New York Yankees reach their 41st World Series appearance in 2024 will look drastically different in 2025. Ace Gerrit Cole, the 2023 American League Cy Young winner, is out with Tommy John surgery, and left-handed pitcher Nestor Cortes was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for closer Devin Williams.
Rookie of the Year Luis Gil is sidelined for at least three months with a high-grade lat strain, and Marcus Stroman, who was left off the Yankees’ postseason roster due to a poor late-season performance, is expected to return, though his return is uncertain because of several pitching injuries. Additionally, the team’s second-ranked pitching prospect, Chase Hampton, is out for the season following Tommy John surgery.
One more starter may also be unavailable for Opening Day. Clarke Schmidt, who was expected to be the Yankees’ fifth starter but is now likely the No. 3, has been dealing with a persistent “cranky” back and a sore shoulder, which caused him to miss a scheduled start last week. The 29-year-old hasn’t pitched in a spring training game since then. On Friday, manager Aaron Boone stated that it was “possible” Schmidt would miss the start of the season. While the Yankees claim Schmidt’s back and shoulder are now healthy, he remains behind other pitchers in his throwing program. During a live batting practice session on Thursday, Schmidt threw just 32 pitches, which was fewer than Max Fried’s 32 pitches in a two-inning live session on February 20—nearly a month earlier than Schmidt.
As the team prepares for the 2025 season opener against the Brewers on March 27, Schmidt is expected to stay in Tampa, the Yankees’ spring training base, to continue building up his pitch count to 70 or 80, instead of traveling with the team to avoid leaving the Yankees short on pitching.
In a more bizarre update, the Yankees also reported that Giancarlo Stanton, who became a postseason hero with a memorable home run, is dealing with painful tendon injuries in both of his elbows. Stanton is receiving PRP (platelet-rich plasma) injections to avoid season-ending surgery. Stanton, in his 11th season of a 13-year, $325 million contract, has reportedly been advised that the injuries might have been caused by an unusual recommendation to switch bats last season. While the Yankees’ medical staff dismisses this theory as “downright batty,” it has gained attention. It is believed that the bat switch may have disrupted Stanton’s swing mechanics, leading to additional strain on his elbows. Even small adjustments can sometimes cause significant consequences, as noted by Alexander Wilson of Empire Sports Media.
