The New York Yankees roster decisions haven’t been reasonable lately, as the front office blocked Jasson Dominguez’s major league promotion to safeguard a slumping Alex Verdugo. While the public outrage is yet to die down, manager Aaron Boone will face another conundrum in the next 24-48 hours.
Rehabbing starting pitchers Clarke Schmidt and Luis Gil are on the cusp of return following successful minor league outings. But a spot is only open for one on the five-man rotation. With four weeks left in the regular season, the New York Yankees management is tasked to stack up the strongest possible rotation amid overcrowding depth.
Nestor Cortes As Risk Of Losing Yankees Rotation Spot
Clarke Schmidt and Luis Gil successfully pitched potentially their final rehab starts in Triple-A and Double-A, respectively. In an ideal world, the pitching duo will be ready to rejoin the Yankees rotation by the weekend in Chicago. However, the present rotation consists of Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodon, Nestor Cortes and Marcus Stroman. While Aaron Boone is open to embracing a 6-man rotation to accommodate both Schmidt and Gil, it is not realistically possible with just four weeks left in the regular season. Hence, somebody will have to settle for a bullpen role, and Nestor Cortes appears to be an easy choice. Cortes’ season ERA soared to 4.08 after implosion against the Cardinals. His record for the 2024 season stands at 8-10. Hence, it’s time for Cortes to take a break.
That being said, moving Nestor Cortes to the bullpen could provide the New York Yankees with a reliable left-handed option in relief, which could be crucial during late innings against tough left-handed hitters. Also, Clarke Schmidt and Luis Gil’s fresh energy will give the Yanks’ rotation an edge for the rest of the season. Another consideration is the team’s current injury situation. With several key relief pitchers either sidelined or returning from injuries, having Cortes available as a long-relief option could offer more flexibility. This approach would allow the Yanks to manage the workload of their starters while ensuring that they have a dependable arm ready to step in when needed. Ultimately, the decision will hinge on the team’s priorities, such as whether to reinforce the bullpen or maintain rotational stability. Either way, a major roster shake-up is expected by the weekend.
Gerrit Cole’s Injury Concern Worries Aaron Boone
On Monday, Gerrit Cole exited the Yankees’ series opener against the Rangers due to cramps in his right leg calf muscle. While Cole believes the setback is unserious, skipper Aaron Boone is paranoid. Each time Boone had to face a rotation decision this season, an injury followed. But this time, the skipper wants to avoid a similar situation.
“Hopefully, a decision is not made for us. When we get to that point, hopefully, we’re in a position that we have to make a tough call on somebody,” Aaron Boone said. The New York Yankees will continue to monitor Gerrit Cole’s situation and hope that the discomfort is just limited to cramps as they need their ace for the final playoff push.
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