The New York Yankees’ starting rotation has been a source of frustration this season, resembling a struggling vessel rather than a well-oiled machine.
Aside from Max Fried—whose $218 million contract looks well-justified thanks to his impressive 2.61 ERA—the rest of the staff has been battling inconsistency.
A Rotation Struggling to Stay Afloat
Carlos Carrasco, once a bright spot in spring training, has struggled with a 7.71 ERA, the highest among the starters. Carlos Rodón, working to regain form, is at 5.19. Marcus Stroman has also had his troubles, posting a 7.27 ERA, while young Will Warren is barely better with a 6.00 ERA.
This leaves the combined ERA (excluding Fried) sitting at an alarming 6.04—far more reminiscent of batting practice than major league pitching.
A Glimmer of Hope on the Horizon
The Yankees have been navigating these challenges without three of their starters, including ace Gerrit Cole, who won’t return until at least partway through 2026. But there’s finally some good news: help may be on the way.
Clarke Schmidt, who posted a solid 2.85 ERA last season, is nearing a return. After an impressive rehab outing in Double-A last weekend, he’s scheduled for what could be his final minor league appearance on Thursday—weather permitting. If that goes well, Schmidt could rejoin the Yankees’ rotation as early as next week, providing a much-needed boost for the staff.
Luis Gil Making Progress
Luis Gil is also on the mend. Manager Aaron Boone has stated that Gil is expected to begin a throwing program soon, signaling that the right-hander is almost pain-free and could be back by June.
It’s a small but significant step forward for a team that has been desperately seeking positive news about its rotation.
While rotation struggles have been the story so far this season, the return of Schmidt and Gil offers hope—like seeing dry land after a long stretch at sea.
