Former Guardians’ Pitcher, Carlos Carrasco, Now Enters Yankees’ Rotation

Injuries to three New York Yankees starting pitchers have resulted in some unlikely scenarios.

Starters Gerrit Cole (Tommy John surgery) Luis Gil (strained lat) and Clarke Schmidt (shoulder fatigue) appear likely to open the season on the Major League Baseball Injured List.

Despite their estimated $285 million payroll, the Yankees are not deep in starting pitching.

Veteran Carlos Carrasco, 38, is listed by fangraphs.com as the Yankees potential fifth starter.

After signing a minor league contract with the Yankees, Carrasco, who turned 38 March 21, was a non-roster invitee to Yankees spring training.

According to Jack Curry of the YES Network, the Yankees promoted Carrasco to their big league roster March 22.

Now, due to starting pitching injuries, Carrasco is in the mix for the team’s fifth starter role.

More about that later.

Given their starting pitching woes, should the Yankees look for starting pitching help in the trade market?

Would they even consider a reunion with Arizona Diamondbacks lefty, Jordan Montgomery?

Montgomery was drafted by the Yankees in the second round of the 2014 draft.

The Yankees traded Montgomery to the St. Louis Cardinals in July 2023, and it doesn’t appear they have any interest in bringing him back to their team.

Now with the Arizona Diamondbacks, Montgomery has lost 20-25 pounds this offseason, and has shown improvement this spring in his overall pitching approach.

Apparently, several teams are interested in Montgomery, but those teams have not been identified. Probably not the Yankees.

But so far, having three roles to fill in the rotation, appears to have opened doors for right-hander Will Warren, and Carlos Carrasco.

About Will Warren:

fangraphs.com lists Will Warren as the potential fourth starter in the Yankees rotation.

In 2021, Warren was an 8th round Yankees draft selection.

Warren was Chosen out of Southeastern Louisiana University, in Hammond, Louisiana.

Warren received a $150,000 bonus.

Warren made his MLB debut July 30, 2024, throwing 5.1 innings against the Phillies.

Warren, 25, made six Yankees appearances in 2024, starting five games.

The 6-2, 175 Warren finished with a recored of 0-3, with a 10.32 ERA, and 1.89 WHIP, covering 22.2 innings. He yielded five home runs, walked 10, and struck out 29.

According to Brooksbaseball.net, Warren throws his both his four-seam fastball, and his two-seam, sinking fastball at 93 miles per hour.

Warren also throws a changeup, a curve, and a slider.

Warren most commonly throws fastballs, using the four-seamer on 32.69% of his pitches, and his sinker on 25.96% of his offerings.

Warren’s next most highly used pitch is his changeup, which he throws 19.23% of the time. His slider is used on 17.31% of his pitches.

Warren goes to his curveball only 4.81% of the time.

So far this spring, Warren has made five starts. He has a 5.05 ERA, and 1.08 WHIP in 19.1 innings. He has yielded three home runs.

Carrasco is a big guy, at 6-4, 224 pounds.

Carrasco has completed parts of 15 big league seasons.

Most of his time has been spent with the former Cleveland Indians, and current Cleveland Guardians. In fact, he has logged parts of 12 seasons on the mound with Cleveland.

Carrasco was signed by the Phillies as an undrafted free agent in 2003.

The Phillies traded Carrasco to Cleveland in July 2009.

Last season, Carrasco made 21 starts for the Guardians, pitching to a 5.64 ERA and 1.39 WHIP in 103.2 innings.

In October this year, the Yankees signed Carrasco to a minor league contract. He will now make $1.5 million, as the Yankees have purchased his contract and have placed him on the big league roster. He can earn up to $2.5 million if he realizes incentives.

While many believed Carrasco would enter retirement after his last stint with Cleveland, Carrasco has proven himself to be resilient and capable, as he knows the nuances of pitching.

This spring, Carrasco has made four starts, and has thrown 16 total innings. He has a minuscule 1.69 ERA and fine 0.93 WHIP in the Florida Grapefruit League.

Carlos Carrasco has answered the challenge of offering the potential for credible starting pitching.

Now it appears he will be in the Yankees rotation.