When Gerrit Cole left Tampa for a Los Angeles visit with Dr. Neal ElAttrache on Monday, Brian Cashman said he “fully expected” a Tommy John diagnosis.
That came to fruition, with Cole scheduling surgery for Tuesday. Cashman, speaking to the YES Network, wasn’t sure if Cole was getting the newer internal brace version of the procedure or traditional Tommy John, but the ace will miss the 2025 season either way.
Now the question is who will get his rotation spot.
Luis Gil’s lat strain had already created an opening for Marcus Stroman. That leaves veteran non-roster invitee Carlos Carrasco and young camp standout Will Warren as the favorites for the Yankees’ fifth rotation slot.
Cashman said as much.
“We’ll evaluate what we have here,” the general manager said. “Warren’s pitched extremely well so far. Carrasco’s pitched extremely well so far.”
Cashman added that the Yankees had a tough time signing other notable non-roster starters because of the rotation depth they took into the spring. After inking Max Fried in their post-Juan Soto pivot, the Yankees entered camp with more starters than rotation spots.
However, their depth has taken a serious hit. In addition to losing Cole and Gil, JT Brubaker (broken ribs) and prospect Chase Hampton (Tommy John) are also sidelined.
Cashman did say the Yankees will look outside the organization as well, but he mentioned that “very little is available” in the pitching marketplace this time of year, per MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch. Cashman also said that luxury tax penalties will make an external upgrade “less likely.”
The Yankees’ 2025 payroll is over the highest luxury tax threshold of $301 million. Cot’s Contracts has them at a projected $304.7 million, though Hal Steinbrenner recently said the team is in the $307-$308 million range.
Opening Day Uncertain
With Cole out, one wouldn’t be crazy to think Fried will start on Opening Day for the Yanks. However, Aaron Boone said things might not line up that way, per MLB.com. At this point in the spring, starters are in the midst of tight schedules, and some are more reluctant to deviate than others.
Boone said to expect an announcement in the coming days as the Yankees continue to work through their March 27 options.
Pereira Optioned
The Yankees optioned Everson Pereira to Triple-A on Tuesday. The move was a bit surprising, as the outfielder – limited to DH duties thus far following Tommy John surgery – has impressed this spring and seemed to be in the running for a roster spot with Giancarlo Stanton out indefinitely.
That isn’t necessarily off the table, though, as Gil was optioned last spring before winning the Yankees’ fifth rotation spot after Cole went down with elbow inflammation.
Schmidt’s Spring Debut
Clarke Schmidt, who saw his schedule delayed by a cranky back, made his spring debut against the Orioles on Tuesday. He wasn’t overly sharp, tallying four hits, three earned runs, a homer, one walk, four strikeouts and 38 pitches over 1.2 innings in a 6-2 loss.
While the results weren’t good, stats don’t really matter this time of year. Schmidt’s sinker was more notable, as it reached 95.6 mph.