Two of the New York Yankees’ internal candidates to fill out the rotation following Gerrit Cole’s injury have impressed, and one has shone particularly brightly.
That final possibility… could shine even brighter out of the bullpen, at least to start the season. Fortunately, the Yankees also have openings in that department.
Sunday marked a potentially seismic shift in the Yankees’ preparations, as Will Warren and Clayton Beeter faced a lineup stacked with Red Sox starters, one day after Luis Gill blew past the Toronto Blue Jays with his leveled-up heater.
Warren received the full Yankees baptism in the first inning, as two fielding errors accompanied a Rafael Devers single and Trevor Story home blast, forcing the right-hander out and resulting in a flurry of unearned runs. Finally, he returned to the game for the second inning with a clean slate, striking out breakout prospect Ceddanne Rafaela (for the second time in two innings) and Connor Wong.
Beeter pitched the remaining four innings of the game (five hits, three earned runs), but it was Warren’s tenacity that drew Aaron Boone’s attention. When discussing Warren’s thoroughness and sticktoitiveness, beat writers noticed a glint in his eye reminiscent of Anthony Volpe’s Spring.
Will Warren still have the lead for the Yankees’ fifth starter job despite his disastrous showing against the Red Sox?
Following the loss, Boone focused much more closely on what transpired after Warren’s defence crumbled behind him and Trevor Story punished him in the first frame.
