It is January 17, 2026. If you’re checking the schedule to see who’s taking the mound for the Bronx Bombers this afternoon, you won’t find a box score. There isn't a game.
Baseball in mid-January is a game of paper, not dirt. We are deep in the "Hot Stove" season. But honestly, the question of who’s pitching today for the Yankees is more stressful right now than it is in July. Why? Because the actual rotation is currently a giant puzzle with half the pieces missing or sitting in a rehab facility.
If the season started tomorrow, the Yankees would be in a world of trouble. Gerrit Cole is sidelined. Carlos Rodón is recovering. Even Clarke Schmidt is a question mark. It’s a mess, frankly. But Brian Cashman has been busy over the last 72 hours trying to patch the leaks before pitchers and catchers report to Tampa next month.
The Ryan Weathers Bombshell
The big news that’s been buzzing around the water cooler (or the Twitter feeds) this week is the acquisition of Ryan Weathers. On January 13, the Yankees sent a package of four prospects—Dylan Jasso, Juan Matheus, Dillon Lewis, and Brendan Jones—to the Miami Marlins to get the lefty.
It’s a classic Yankees move. You take a guy with high-pedigree (former top-10 pick) who hasn't quite put it all together and hope your pitching lab can work some magic. Weathers is only 26. He’s got the bloodlines—his dad, David Weathers, wore the pinstripes back in the day.
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Last year was a bit of a rollercoaster for him. He dealt with flexor and lat strains, limiting him to just eight starts. But the stuff? The stuff is legit. His fastball averaged nearly 97 mph last season. In a rotation that currently looks like a MASH unit, Weathers isn't just a "nice to have" depth piece; he’s likely starting on Opening Day in March.
Who is actually healthy right now?
If you look at the 40-man roster today, the "healthy" list of starters is a bit thin. You’ve basically got:
- Max Fried: The big free-agent prize from last year. He’s the undisputed ace until Cole returns.
- Luis Gil: He just avoided arbitration with a new deal on January 8. He’s a flame-thrower, but consistency is his white whale.
- Cam Schlittler: A name many casual fans are still learning. He logged heavy innings in 2025 and is projected to be a massive part of the 2026 staff.
- Will Warren: He’s got the "sweeper" that everyone loves, but he ran out of gas late last year.
- Ryan Weathers: The new guy.
That’s your projected five. It’s not exactly the 1998 rotation, is it? It feels a little experimental.
The Training Room Report
You can't talk about who’s pitching today for the Yankees without talking about the guys who aren't. Gerrit Cole is the big one. He’s recovering from right elbow surgery. The latest word from the Winter Meetings is that he’s looking at a May or June return. He’s been throwing bullpen sessions lately, which is a good sign, but the Yankees are being (rightfully) terrified of a setback.
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Then there’s Carlos Rodón. He’s dealing with a bone spur and "loose bodies" in his left elbow. He’s slightly ahead of Cole on the timeline—potentially back in late April—but we’ve heard that story before with Rodón.
And don't forget Clarke Schmidt. He had Tommy John surgery last July. We might not see him until the dog days of August, if at all this year. This is why the Ryan Weathers trade happened. This is why they just re-signed Paul Blackburn to a one-year, $2 million deal on January 15. They are desperate for "innings eaters."
The Kids are Coming
There is some genuine excitement about the prospects, though. Ryan Garcia over at Empire Sports Media recently highlighted a trio of arms that have the front office drooling: Elmer Rodriguez, Carlos Lagrange, and Ben Hess.
Rodriguez was just added to the 40-man roster in November to protect him from the Rule 5 draft. He’s got a curveball that looks like it’s falling off a table. Lagrange is the "wild card" with a 100-mph heater. While they probably won't be "pitching today" in the Bronx, keep an eye on them during Spring Training. If one of the veteran "depth" guys like Blackburn or Ryan Yarbrough falters, these kids are getting the call.
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What happens next?
The Yankees aren't done. You can feel it. There are still rumors swirling about a potential trade for Freddy Peralta from the Brewers. The price would be steep—likely involving those top prospects like Lagrange or Rodriguez—but with the rotation in this much flux, the Yankees might not have a choice.
They also claimed Kaleb Ort off waivers from Houston on January 9 to help the bullpen, and they brought back the "Swiss Army Knife" Ryan Yarbrough. It’s all about survival until May.
Actionable Insights for Fans:
- Check the Spring Training Schedule: Pitchers and catchers report in about four weeks. That’s when we’ll see if Rodón is actually throwing off a mound.
- Watch the Waiver Wire: The Yankees have one of the lowest international signing pools this year ($5.44 million), so expect them to be aggressive in the "bargain bin" for veteran arms.
- Monitor Gerrit Cole's Long-Toss: Any news about Cole increasing his distance is the most important pitching news you can find right now.
The rotation is a work in progress. It’s a gamble. But for the Yankees, it’s the only hand they’ve got to play while the stars are in the shop.
Stay tuned to the transaction wire. Brian Cashman is definitely not off the phone yet.