The New York Yankees have started the season with a perfect 2-0 record after a pair of come-from-behind victories against the Astros. While this may seem like a good sign, the team is facing some challenges, particularly with their starting pitching. Reigning AL Cy Young Award winner Gerrit Cole has been moved to the 60-day IL with forearm inflammation, and is not expected to return until June 1st. This leaves the team relying on risky pitchers such as Nestor Cortes, Carlos Rodón, Marcus Stroman, Clarke Schmidt, and Luis Gil.
Cortes and Rodón, in particular, have had their fair share of struggles in the past. Cortes had a disappointing 2023 season with a ballooning ERA, while Rodón’s first year with the team was disastrous. Stroman, who was signed this offseason, also had his struggles in the latter part of the 2023 season. Clarke Schmidt, who slots in as the fourth starter, was at least durable in the past season but allowed too many baserunners. Luis Gil, who won the fifth starter job in spring training after Cole’s injury, has shown promise but missed most of the past season due to injury.
While it’s too early to draw conclusions, Cortes and Rodón’s performances in the first few games have been mixed. Cortes struggled early on but settled down later in the game, while Rodón pitched out of trouble but is still a question mark moving forward. The team added JT Brubaker via trade, but he won’t factor into the rotation until midseason as he is still ramping up after missing all of 2023 due to Tommy John Surgery. The team is looking to survive until Cole returns, but even then, their fate will rely heavily on the performance of their starting pitchers.
Come-from-behind victories may be thrilling, but the Yankees know they need to improve their starting pitching to avoid falling behind in the first place. With Cole out until June and the rest of the rotation facing uncertainties, the team will need strong performances from Cortes, Rodón, Stroman, Schmidt, and Gil to have a successful season. As the season progresses, the Yankees will need their starting pitchers to step up and keep the team in games to have a chance of making it back to the postseason. The first few games have been promising, but the true test lies ahead for the team’s starting rotation.
