Introduction to the Yankees’ Decision
The New York Yankees have made a significant move by designating right-handed starter Carlos Carrasco for assignment. This decision comes ahead of their Tuesday night matchup against the San Diego Padres at Yankee Stadium. In conjunction with this move, the club has recalled right-hander Yerry De Los Santos from Triple-A Scranton Wilkes-Barre.
Background on Carlos Carrasco
Carrasco, 38, signed a minor league contract with the Yankees in February and managed to secure a spot on the major league roster after an impressive spring training. During spring training, he posted a 1.59 ERA in five games (four starts) across 16 innings. His performance during this period showed promise, but it did not translate well into the regular season.
Performance in the Regular Season
In the regular season, Carrasco made eight appearances for the club (six starts), resulting in an inflated 5.91 ERA and a 1.53 WHIP with 25 strikeouts, 10 walks, and six home runs over 32 innings of work. He struggled, surrendering five hits or more in half of his appearances and giving up four earned runs in three of them.
Apr 30, 2025; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; New York Yankees pitcher Carlos Carrasco (59) throws a pitch during the second inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Reggie Hildred-Imagn Images
Impact on the Yankees’ Rotation
Carrasco’s inability to perform at a high level has added to the Yankees’ rotation woes. The team’s rotation, which was initially considered one of the best in baseball, has been severely impacted by injuries. Ace Gerrit Cole is out for the season due to surgery, and reigning Rookie of the Year Luis Gil is dealing with a high-grade lat strain. Additionally, right-hander Marcus Stroman was sidelined with a knee injury in April but has since resumed throwing bullpen sessions and may advance to live batting practice soon.
Current State of the Yankees’ Rotation
Despite these challenges, the Yankees’ starters have managed to achieve the 15th best ERA (3.92) in the majors, albeit in the 11th fewest innings (177.0). The team’s success can be attributed to the outstanding performances of Max Fried and Carlos Rodon. Fried has maintained an ERA of just 1.01 over seven starts, with the team remaining undefeated when he pitches. Rodon has also been exceptional over his last four starts, boasting a 0.70 ERA with 29 strikeouts over 25.2 frames. The Yankees have accumulated nine quality starts this season, with Fried accounting for five and Rodon contributing four.
Conclusion
The decision to designate Carlos Carrasco for assignment reflects the Yankees’ need to strengthen their rotation. With key players injured and others not performing as expected, the team is looking to make adjustments to stay competitive. The performances of Max Fried and Carlos Rodon have been a silver lining, but the team needs more consistency from their starters to succeed.
FAQs
- Q: Why was Carlos Carrasco designated for assignment?
A: Carrasco was designated for assignment due to his poor performance in the regular season, posting a 5.91 ERA and a 1.53 WHIP in eight appearances. - Q: Who was recalled by the Yankees in place of Carrasco?
A: The Yankees recalled right-hander Yerry De Los Santos from Triple-A Scranton Wilkes-Barre. - Q: What are the current challenges facing the Yankees’ rotation?
A: The Yankees’ rotation is dealing with injuries to key players, including Gerrit Cole and Luis Gil, and is seeking to find consistent performance from their remaining starters. - Q: How have Max Fried and Carlos Rodon performed for the Yankees?
A: Max Fried has a 1.01 ERA over seven starts, with the team being undefeated in his appearances. Carlos Rodon has a 0.70 ERA over his last four starts, with 29 strikeouts in 25.2 innings.
