The Yankees are once again facing a familiar spring dilemma, as an unexpected injury leaves a gap in their pitching rotation for the start of the season. A key member of their pitching staff has been sidelined for the first few months with a high-grade Lat strain, putting a dent in the team’s plans for the upcoming season. This situation mirrors a similar challenge from last spring when an injury to another important starter opened the door for a surprising player to make an impact.
Last year, the Yankees faced a similar crisis when their ace, Gerrit Cole, was shut down with an elbow injury just before the season began. This created an unexpected opportunity for the player who would go on to secure a spot in the Opening Day roster and launch an impressive Rookie of the Year campaign. The team relied heavily on their deep rotation and overall pitching strength to carry them through Cole’s absence, and it paid off with a dominant early stretch.
This season, manager Aaron Boone is confident that the team can weather the storm again. With the injured player’s spot now filled by Marcus Stroman, the Yankees’ rotation still includes a formidable group, featuring Gerrit Cole, Max Fried, Carlos Rodón, and Clarke Schmidt. Even with the injury setback, Boone believes in the depth of the staff and the team’s ability to maintain high-level performance throughout the year.
While the injury is a significant setback, Boone is optimistic about the next tier of starters the Yankees have in camp. He pointed to several pitchers, including Carlos Carrasco, Will Warren, and Allan Winans, who have impressed in spring training. Boone emphasized that injuries are part of the game, but having depth at the position will allow the Yankees to remain competitive even when setbacks arise. “We still feel like we have good depth,” Boone said, acknowledging that injuries are inevitable but stressing the importance of having options in reserve.
The player who has been sidelined is expected to miss at least six weeks, and with the necessary rehab and buildup, he might not return until late May or early June. The Yankees won’t rush his recovery, given his injury history and the heavy workload he had last season. In the meantime, Will Warren, who had a rough MLB debut last year, has impressed this spring and is seen as the next man up if further injuries strike or if the Yankees need a spot starter. With his recent strong performances, Warren’s potential to step up in a critical role only adds to the team’s pitching depth and their confidence in handling the challenges ahead.
