What’s next for the Yankees’ starting rotation as injured pitchers are set to return? NEW YORK — For the first time since early March, the Yankees are about to have all six of their starting pitchers healthy and available.
Manager Aaron Boone mentioned on Sunday that there’s a “very good chance” both Clarke Schmidt and Luis Gil will come off the injured list next week when the Yankees are in Chicago to face the Cubs.
Schmidt has been out since late May due to a lat strain, and he’s expected to make his final rehab start with Double-A Somerset on Monday. Meanwhile, Gil has been on a brief IL stint after suffering a lower back strain on August 20. Despite the injury, Gil continued throwing and made an 80-pitch rehab start on Sunday with Somerset to prepare for his return.
With Schmidt and Gil nearing readiness as starters, the Yankees face a decision—a good problem to have late in the season. With only one spot open in the rotation after rookie Will Warren was sent down to Triple-A, the Yankees must decide whether to move someone into a different role to keep a five-man rotation or adopt a six-man rotation for now. Ultimately, as the postseason approaches, the Yankees will need to reduce their rotation to four starters and decide if the remaining two pitchers belong in the bullpen or off the playoff roster entirely.
Boone remains cautious, not jumping to conclusions until Schmidt and Gil are officially back. While it’s likely that Boone and the Yankees have already discussed potential scenarios, he’s adopting a “wait and see” approach in his press conferences.
“They haven’t pitched yet,” Boone said after Sunday’s 14-7 loss to the Cardinals. “Clarke is pitching tomorrow in a rehab game, so we’ll see. If we have to make a decision at some point in seven days, then we’ll do that. But right now, we’re getting those guys ready to come back and start.”
Nestor Cortes, who started on Sunday, saw his streak of dominant outings end as he allowed five earned runs on nine hits over four innings. His effectiveness, particularly his swing-and-miss ability, was lacking compared to his previous three starts where he gave up just one earned run over 20 2/3 innings.
Nestor Cortes
With Cortes pitching on Sunday and Will Warren having pitched on Saturday before being demoted, Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodón, and Marcus Stroman are lined up to start against the Rangers in Texas on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, respectively. If Schmidt and Gil return in Chicago, Cortes might seem like the odd man out.
However, Boone quickly confirmed that Cortes would make his next scheduled start.
This raises the possibility that the Yankees could temporarily move to a six-man rotation. After Thursday’s off day, the Yankees could start Cortes, Gil, and Schmidt in that order, giving Gil and Schmidt extra rest following their rehab outings. Before Saturday’s loss to St. Louis, Boone was asked about the potential for a six-man rotation.
“Not necessarily,” Boone responded. “Again, that’s still days off. I wouldn’t rule out anything. But not committed to anything quite yet.”
Leave a Reply