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The New York Yankees’ pitching staff, already reeling from injuries to ace Gerrit Cole and rising arms Luis Gil and Clarke Schmidt, has turned to an unlikely savior: 38-year-old Carlos Carrasco. Once a cornerstone of Cleveland’s rotation, the former Mets standout has reignited his career with a dazzling spring training—forcing the Yankees to promote him from a minor-league deal to their Opening Day roster. In a $285 million payroll teetering on thin pitching depth, Carrasco’s resurgence isn’t just a feel-good story—it’s a lifeline.
Spring training redemption: Carlos Carrasco’s masterclass
Carrasco’s journey to the Bronx reads like a baseball odyssey. Signed by the New York Yankees in October to a non-guaranteed 1.5 million pact (with incentives upto 2.5 million), the veteran was initially seen as a camp body. But in Florida’s Grapefruit League, he silenced doubters. Over four starts and 16 innings, Carrasco posted a sparkling 1.69 ERA and 0.93 WHIP, showcasing command and guile that belied his age.
“He knows the nuances of pitching,” one scout noted, referencing Carlos Carrasco’s 15-year MLB tenure. His fastball, once clocked in the mid-90s, now sits around 90 mph, but his ability to mix a slider, changeup, and curveball kept hitters guessing. For a Yankees rotation missing three starters, his poise offers stability.
The New York Yankees’ pitching puzzle
While Carrasco’s promotion headlines the spring, the Yankees’ pitching strategy is a tale of two paths. On one side: 25-year-old Will Warren, a former eighth-round pick with a 10.32 ERA in his 2024 debut. Despite a rocky start, Warren’s four-pitch arsenal (highlighted by a 93 mph fastball and sharp slider) keeps him in the mix as the potential fourth starter. But his 5.05 spring ERA underscores growing pains.
On the other: Carlos Carrasco, whose 2023 struggles (5.64 ERA in Cleveland) had many speculating retirement. Yet his spring revival—paired with Warren’s inconsistency—cements his role. “He’s answered the challenge,” manager Aaron Boone hinted, prioritizing reliability over potential.
Yankees’ calculated gamble
New York’s refusal to re-enter the Jordan Montgomery sweepstakes—despite his trimmed-down resurgence in Arizona—signals confidence in internal fixes. Instead of splurging on a marquee arm, they’re betting on Carrasco’s savvy and Warren’s upside.
For Carlos Carrasco, this is more than a paycheck. It’s a chance to redefine his legacy. For the New York Yankees, it’s a low-risk bid to weather the storm until Cole returns. But in the cutthroat AL East, where every inning counts, the question lingers: Can a 38-year-old reclamation project and a rookie hold the fort?
