Honestly, if you look at the back of a 2026 baseball card right now, you’d probably think the New York Yankees pitching rotation is a complete disaster. On paper, it's a mess. Gerrit Cole and Clarke Schmidt are both recovering from elbow surgeries. Carlos Rodón, who finally looked like the $162 million man last year, is currently stuck in a "ramp-up" phase after an October elbow cleanup.
It’s easy to panic. Most fans do. But the reality in the Bronx is actually weirder—and maybe better—than the injury report suggests.
While everyone is staring at the IL, the Yankees have quietly built a "bridge" rotation that is surprisingly high-ceiling. They aren't just survivalists; they're actually deep. Between the massive trade for Ryan Weathers and the sudden emergence of guys like Cam Schlittler, the New York Yankees pitching rotation is basically a science experiment in depth.
The Ace You Didn't Expect: Max Fried
When the Yankees landed Max Fried, it felt like a luxury. Now? He's the only thing keeping the lights on in April.
Fried is essentially the anti-Yankee pitcher of the last decade. He doesn't rely on 101 mph heaters that blow out elbows. He’s a surgeon. Last year, he was one of the few starters in baseball who consistently gave his team six or seven innings every time out. With Cole sidelined until at least late May or June, Fried isn't just the "Number 1" by default—he's the anchor of the entire franchise.
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If Fried doesn't pitch like a Cy Young contender for the first 60 days, the Yankees are in trouble. Simple as that.
The "Bridge" Starters: Weathers and Schlittler
Here is where things get interesting. Most people expected Brian Cashman to stand pat, but the trade for Ryan Weathers changed the math.
Weathers is a fascinating case. He’s only 26, but it feels like he’s been around forever. He struggled with a flexor strain in 2025, but the early word from Tampa is that he’s "lengthened out" his lat and feels better than he has in two years. He’s a lefty with a high pedigree who just needs to prove he can handle the Bronx spotlight.
Then there’s Cam Schlittler.
If you aren't a die-hard prospect junkie, you might have missed his rise. Schlittler has arguably the best "pure stuff" in the current New York Yankees pitching rotation while the big names are out. He’s got this high-velocity heater and a nasty breaking ball that evaluators are obsessed with. He showed some serious flashes in the 2025 postseason, and the Yankees are betting the house that he’s ready for 30 starts.
The Injury Timeline: When Do the Stars Return?
You can't talk about this staff without talking about the training room. It’s the elephant in the room.
- Carlos Rodón: He’s the closest to returning. He had surgery to remove "loose bodies" and shave down a bone spur. He’s already throwing from 75 feet. The Yankees expect him back in late April or early May. After his 18-win, 3.09 ERA performance in 2025, they need that version of him, not the 2023 version.
- Gerrit Cole: This is the big one. Cole didn't pitch a single inning in 2025. That hurts. He’s recovering from a UCL procedure (internal brace/Tommy John) and is targeting a mid-2026 return. Even if he comes back, will he be the "Cole Train"? Nobody knows.
- Clarke Schmidt: Schmidt is in a similar boat to Cole. He underwent an internal brace procedure in July 2025. Best case scenario? He’s a factor after the All-Star break. Worst case? He’s a 2027 story.
The Luis Gil Paradox
Luis Gil is the ultimate wild card. He was the 2024 AL Rookie of the Year, then he spent most of 2025 on the shelf with a lat strain. When he came back late last season, he was... shaky. He struggled in the ALDS against Toronto, getting tagged for home runs and failing to get out of the third inning.
But the talent is undeniable. He just signed a $2.16 million deal to avoid arbitration, and he’s locked into a rotation spot. The problem is the walks. He had a 13.5% walk rate last year. You can't survive in the AL East if you're gifting free passes to the Orioles and Blue Jays. Gil has to prove he can find the zone, or he’s going to end up in the bullpen by June.
The Next Wave: Lagrange and Rodriguez-Cruz
If things go south—and let’s be real, with this many injuries, they might—the Yankees have two kids at Triple-A Scranton who are ready to kick the door down.
Carlos Lagrange is 6-foot-7 and throws 102 mph. He’s raw, he’s scary, and he’s exactly the kind of arm that could stabilize a rotation in July. Then there’s Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz. He’s more polished, sitting 93-96 mph with a deep arsenal.
The Yankees have this "problem" where they have too many guys who deserve a look. It’s a good problem to have, but it makes the New York Yankees pitching rotation incredibly volatile.
Actionable Insights for the 2026 Season
If you're tracking this team, here is how you should actually judge the rotation's health:
- Watch the Lefties: With Fried, Rodón (eventually), and Weathers, the Yankees are leaning hard on southpaws. This is a strategic move to neutralize the heavy right-handed bats in the AL East.
- The 95-Win Benchmark: Despite the injuries, the Yankees are still projected for 95+ wins. This tells you the projection systems believe in the depth arms like Will Warren and Schlittler more than the average fan does.
- The July Pivot: Expect the Yankees to be active at the trade deadline. Even if Cole returns, they can't bank on him being 100%. They’ll likely look for one more veteran "innings eater" to take the pressure off the kids.
The 2026 rotation isn't about having five set names. It’s about a rolling cast of characters. If they can just stay afloat until June, the second half of the season could see one of the most dominant staffs in baseball. But "if" is a very big word in the Bronx.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Monitor Carlos Rodón’s progress in the Grapefruit League; if his velocity is down in March, the April "bridge" becomes a lot more fragile.
- Keep an eye on Carlos Lagrange's walk rate in Triple-A; he's the first man up if Luis Gil struggles with command early on.
- Track Max Fried's pitch counts in April—the Yankees cannot afford to overwork him while waiting for the cavalry to arrive.