The New York Yankees have started the season strong with a 2-0 record, but their success moving forward is uncertain due to issues with their starting pitching. Reigning AL Cy Young Award winner, Gerrit Cole, has been placed on the 60-day IL with forearm inflammation and is aiming for a June 1 return. In his absence, the rotation will be led by risky options such as Nestor Cortes, Carlos Rodón, Marcus Stroman, and Clarke Schmidt, with Luis Gil rounding out the fifth spot in the rotation.
Cortes and Rodón struggled in their first starts of the season, with Cortes giving up three runs early on but settling down, and Rodón pitching out of trouble all night despite his 2.08 ERA. Stroman, who was named an All-Star last season, will take the mound next in an effort to prove himself. The Yankees added JT Brubaker via trade from the Pirates, although he is still ramping up following Tommy John Surgery and won’t be ready until midseason.
With Cole out until at least June, the Yankees are focused on survival for the first two months of the season until he returns. However, even with Cole back, the success of Cortes, Rodón, and Stroman will ultimately determine the team’s fate in 2023. While come-from-behind victories are exciting, the team is aware that falling behind is not an ideal situation to be in. The starting pitching will need to step up in order to keep the team competitive and push for a spot in the postseason.
Though it is still early in the season, the Yankees know that they need to improve their pitching performances in order to continue their success. Cortes and Rodón will need to find consistency after their rocky starts, while Stroman will need to bounce back from a rough end to his last season. With Cole’s return on the horizon and the addition of Brubaker, the team is hopeful that their pitching staff can come together and lead them to a successful 2023 campaign.
The Yankees have a lot riding on their starting pitching staff this season, with Cole’s injury complicating an already uncertain situation. With a mix of experienced veterans and up-and-coming talent, the Yankees are hoping that they can weather the storm until Cole returns. It will be a battle for the team to stay competitive in the tough AL East division, but with the talent on their roster, there is reason to believe that they can overcome their early challenges and make a push for the playoffs.
