Amid an injury crisis in their pitching rotation, the New York Yankees are reportedly considering an unexpected move with veteran pitcher Carlos Carrasco in the MLB.



Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees jogs in at the end of the inning after catching a ball hit off the bat of Freddie Freeman #5 of the Los Angeles Dodgers at the wall during the fourth inning of Game Five of the 2024 World Series at Yankee Stadium on October 30, 2024 in the Bronx borough of New York City.

© Photo by Elsa/Getty Images Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees jogs in at the end of the inning after catching a ball hit off the bat of Freddie Freeman #5 of the Los Angeles Dodgers at the wall during the fourth inning of Game Five of the 2024 World Series at Yankee Stadium on October 30, 2024 in the Bronx borough of New York City.

The New York Yankees could be on the verge of making an unexpected move with veteran pitcher Carlos Carrasco, a former star of the Cleveland Guardians. What initially seemed like a routine minor league invitation has turned into a crucial audition for Carrasco, who now has a legitimate chance to secure a spot on the Yankees’ Opening Day roster.

The Yankees’ current pitching situation, plagued by injuries during spring training, has created an opportunity for Carrasco. With Gerrit Cole and Luis Gil sidelined, and Clarke Schmidt dealing with a shoulder injury, the need for depth in the starting rotation is more evident than ever.

Jack Curry of the YES Network reported that Carrasco could earn a spot in the Yankees’ rotation. “With the way [Aaron] Boone has raved about Carrasco’s swing-and-miss stuff, indications are that Carrasco is likely to be in the rotation,” Curry wrote on X. “He has an opt-out on March 22. I see these two sides staying together. Yanks need rotation depth, so it would be unwise to lose Carrasco.”

A veteran in search of redemption

Carrasco’s performance in spring training has been impressive, posting a 2.45 ERA over 11 innings. While the sample size is small, his outings have been enough to catch the attention of the Yankees’ coaching staff and raise expectations about his potential contribution to the team.

Carlos Carrasco #59 of the New York Yankees poses for a portrait during the New York Yankees Photo Day at George M. Steinbrenner Field on February 18, 2025 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Carlos Carrasco #59 of the New York Yankees poses for a portrait during the New York Yankees Photo Day at George M. Steinbrenner Field on February 18, 2025 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Carrasco’s legacy in Cleveland

Affectionately known as “Cookie,” Carrasco spent the first 12 years of his MLB career with the Cleveland Guardians before returning to the team for the 2023 season. Although he was never selected to an All-Star Game, Carrasco was a dominant force between 2014 and 2018, earning a reputation as a reliable starter and a fan favorite in Cleveland.

What’s next for Carrasco and the Yankees?

Carrasco’s situation with the Yankees is a testament to how injuries and opportunities can reshape a player’s career trajectory. Yankees fans will be closely watching the team’s final decision, eager to see if Carrasco can seize this opportunity and make a triumphant return to the big leagues.

The uncertainty surrounding the Yankees’ starting rotation adds an extra layer of intrigue to the upcoming MLB season, generating excitement and anticipation among fans. If Carrasco can continue to impress, he might just become a key piece in the Yankees’ quest for success in 2024.