The New York Yankees were forced to battle adverse weather conditions all week long as flash flooding left the city of New York paralysed. The LA Angels series in Bronx was pushed to double header where both teams won a game each before the winner was decided on Thursday’s rubber game.
Having said that, the rain gods refused to relent on Friday as well. The start time of New York Yankees versus Texas Rangers series opener was delayed before getting eventually postponed. And now with another double header on the horizon, the hosts will be forced to embrace rotation tweaks.
Yankees In Need Of Sixth Starter Amid Disruption In Five-Man Schedule
The New York Yankees face a challenge after a recent rainout, which has disrupted their starting pitching rotation. Friday’s series opener against the Texas Rangers resulted in a washout due to incessant rainfall. On Saturday, Yankee Stadium will host a single-admission double header. Having said that, this unplanned break means the Yanks will need to make adjustments to their pitching plans to stay competitive in a tight playoff race. Typically, rainouts can be a blessing in disguise, giving an extra day of rest to the bullpen or providing a struggling pitcher with a chance to regroup. However, in the current phase of the season, where every game counts, the disruption could prove costly if not handled carefully.
Meanwhile, the New York Yankees will need a sixth starting pitcher to adjust to the next week’s plan. Carlos Rodon and Gerrit Cole will pitch on Saturday’s doubleheader, with Marcus Stroman pitching on Sunday in a delayed start. This means Rodon won’t be fit enough to pitch against his former team, the White Sox, next week. This certainly means the Yanks will need to either call up a starting pitcher from the minor league or promote a bullpen arm. Will Warren is the obvious choice, as he also pitched in the doubleheader held on Tuesday. Another option is Jake Cousins. He owns a a 2.37 ERA over 18 games since his return to the big-league roster on June 27. Additionally, if injured Clarke Schmidt or Cody Poteet are eligible to pitch a short yet impactful start, manager Aaron Boone can induct either one of them into the starting rotation temporarily.
Clarke Schmidt Eyeing Early Return From Lat Strain
Meanwhile, New York Yankees starting pitcher Clarke Schmidt is nearing a rehab assignment following recovery from lat strain injury. He is likely to throw a live BP session this weekend before eventually commencing a minor league rehab assignment. A return before the end August isn’t ruled out at the moment.
Notably, since the five-man rotation is full, the New York Yankees skipper Aaron Boone will have to make some bold changes. Either Nestor Cortes or Luis Gil gets demoted, or Schmidt himself gets pushed down to the bullpen as he is already coming off an injury. And Schmidt is open to the adjustments as he desperately wants to stay in the majors.
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