Yankees Might Be Setting Up Gerrit Cole Return With Latest Roster Shuffle The New York Yankees made a strategic roster adjustment on Monday that appears to signal a shift in their plans for the pitching rotation. By optioning right-handed pitcher Elmer Rodriguez to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and recalling right-hander Yovanny Cruz to the major league roster, the team is prioritizing bullpen depth over adding another starting pitcher. This move suggests the Yankees are positioning themselves to welcome Gerrit Cole back to the majors if his rehabilitation continues to progress favorably. Cruz, a 26-year-old right-hander, has emerged as a reliable option in Triple-A, posting a 3.00 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, and 23 strikeouts over 18 innings this season. His performance has earned him a spot in the Yankees’ active roster, where he will wear the number 96 jersey. The decision to bring him up as a reliever rather than a starter underscores the team’s focus on bolstering the bullpen, which has been stretched thin by recent demands. Cruz’s inclusion provides the Yankees with a fresh right-handed arm to address potential gaps in their relief corps, while keeping the door open for Cole’s potential return. Rodriguez, on the other hand, was sent back to Triple-A after a brief stint in the majors. The 22-year-old right-hander has struggled with command, posting a 4.15 ERA, 1.85 WHIP, and a subpar strike-throwing ability despite his solid stuff. His performance in three starts this season—six strikeouts and nine walks over 13 innings—has not met the expectations of a major league starter. By returning him to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, the Yankees are giving him an opportunity to refine his mechanics and develop as a starter rather than forcing him into an uncomfortable role in the big leagues.#yankees #yovanny_cruz #gerrit_cole #elmer_rodriguez #scrantonwilkes_barre
Ryan McMahon’s Defense Likely Adding Flexibility to Yankees’ Roster Construction The New York Yankees appear to be embracing Ryan McMahon’s role as their backup shortstop, a decision that could provide greater flexibility in shaping their roster for the upcoming season. During spring training, McMahon has been given the opportunity to showcase his defensive skills, with manager Aaron Boone expressing confidence in his ability to handle the position. Boone stated, “I think he could handle that,” indicating the team’s willingness to let McMahon serve as a reliable bench option rather than pushing him for a starting role. McMahon’s performance at shortstop during spring training has been a positive sign for the Yankees. While he has not yet been named the primary starter, his consistent play has earned him a spot in the lineup, allowing the team to explore other options for the starting shortstop position. This approach gives the Yankees more room to maneuver in their roster construction, particularly as they evaluate potential trades or free-agent signings. In addition to McMahon, the Yankees have seen promising performances from relievers Jake Bird and Yovanny Cruz. Bird demonstrated resilience during a recent outing, overcoming a controversial strikeout call via the ABS challenge system to record three strikeouts in a scoreless inning. Cruz, meanwhile, has continued to impress with his fastball, averaging 100.3 mph on his sinker, and has shown the ability to dominate batters in relief appearances. Despite a shoulder injury that initially delayed his progress in camp, Cruz remains in the running for a spot on the active roster. The Yankees’ spring training schedule also includes a notable milestone for Gerrit Cole, who will make his spring debut 53 weeks after undergoing Tommy John surgery.#new_york_yankees #ryan_mcmahon #aaron_boone #jake_bird #yovanny_cruz
