The New York Yankees are facing increased pressure on their starting rotation as pitcher Ryan Yarbrough has been placed on the 15-day injured list due to a low-grade strain in his right oblique. This injury comes at a challenging time when the rotation is already dealing with significant injuries to key players, including Gerrit Cole and Luis Gil.
Manager Aaron Boone indicated that Yarbrough’s injury might not keep him sidelined for long, and there is optimism that he could resume throwing once he is symptom-free. Yarbrough, who joined the Yankees earlier this year after opting out of his minor league contract with the Blue Jays, had been a reliable presence in the rotation, allowing no more than two runs in seven of his eight starts since early May.
With Yarbrough unable to make his scheduled start against Cincinnati, Allan Winans will take the mound instead. Winans, who previously spent time on the major league roster without appearing in a game, has excelled at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, boasting an impressive 0.90 ERA over 11 appearances. Boone expressed excitement about Winans and his potential contributions as the Yankees seek to maintain their competitiveness amid these injuries.
Additionally, the Yankees are managing various other pitching options. Marcus Stroman is on a rehabilitation assignment and is expected to pitch soon, while JT Brubaker has recently returned to the roster after completing his recovery from Tommy John surgery. Boone noted that Brubaker could also be considered for a start if needed.
The Yankees’ rotation remains resilient, bolstered by contributions from both seasoned pitchers like Max Fried and Carlos Rodón, as well as rookie talents like Will Warren. The encouraging performance of Clarke Schmidt, who recently delivered seven no-hit innings, showcases the depth and potential within the team.
As the Yankees navigate these challenges, there’s hope that they can continue to perform well and bolster their playoff ambitions. The upcoming games will be critical as the team looks to rally and leverage the talents of their remaining pitchers.