Following the success of the Yankees’ pitching wave comes hope after Gerrit Cole’s injury concerns

CLEARWATER, Fla. — There would be no replacing Gerrit Cole, an ace of aces whose arm represents the clearest route to a Yankees World Series, and whose elbow required an MRI on Monday.

But an ominous, dark day for the Yankees did include a speck of hope for the depth, if not the front, of the rotation.

If Cole needs to miss time, three competitors for a rotation spot — if not immediately then at some point — looked promising in combining for 10 ²/₃ innings of one-run, six-hit, 14-strikeout ball.

On a split-squad day that showcased some of the remaining depth options for the rotation, Clayton Beeter, Luis Gil and Will Warren looked like they could be ready to help in the majors soon.

Clayton Beeter throws during the first inning of a spring training baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies on Monday, March 11, 2024, in Clearwater, Fla.AP

“For as much pitching depth as we’ve had to trade away this winter … I am excited about that next wave of arms,” manager Aaron Boone said at BayCare Ballpark, where Beeter and Gil dazzled in a 2-1 win over the Phillies. “I do feel like the pitching depth that we have is strong. On what level is it ready to compete now? That’s what you have to find out.”

Facing what might be the Opening Day lineup for the Phillies, Beeter allowed two hits and no runs while striking out four in four innings.

The return from the 2022 Joey Gallo trade, Beeter relied upon fastballs to get ahead in counts and sliders to finish off batters. Alec Bohm swung through three straight sliders. Kyle Schwarber, too, whiffed for strike three on the pitch.

“I saw the lineup today, I was excited to face those guys,” said Beeter, a 25-year-old righty. “Just keeps giving me confidence that my stuff plays up here.”

Beeter handed off to Gil, who was the most impressive pitcher on the day.

Luis Gil #81, reacts as he walks off the mound after pitching a scoreless first inning against Tigers.Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post

The righty, ready to start his first full season back from Tommy John surgery, was electric through 3 ²/₃ innings in which he allowed one hit and walked one. Of the 11 outs he recorded, eight came via strikeout.

In one fun battle, he got ahead of Bryce Harper with a slider and changeup that both induced whiffs before reaching back for 99.6 mph that blew Harper away.

“Wow. … He was dominant. That was dominant,” Boone said of Gil, who already has been optioned out of major league camp but more so because the Yankees are building him up slowly following the May 2022 surgery. “I kept turning, like, anyone else seeing this?

“You can very easily see him factoring in [to the majors] in some role. I mean, that [stuff] works.”

Phillies bats could not figure out Gil, swinging 26 times and missing 15. He mixed in changeups and sliders but could lean upon the upper-90s fastballs when he needed an out.

“[I felt] excellent, thank God,” Gil said in Spanish, adding that it had been several years since he felt this good.

Back in Tampa, Warren — who might be the most big-league ready of the Yankees’ starting pitcher prospects, but is not yet on the 40-man roster — allowed a run on three hits with three strikeouts against an impressive Orioles lineup.

“I feel like I’ve been ready [for the majors],” said Warren, who pitched in 21 games with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre last season. “Whenever that time comes, hopefully sooner rather than later, I’m ready to do whatever it takes to win.”

— Additional reporting by Dan Martin in Tampa

Related Posts

Sergio Perez has finally revealed a long-standing grudge between him and Max Verstappen, adding fuel to the ongoing Red Bull drama. With tensions high, Red Bull has issued a public apology for the situation, acknowledging their mishandling of the F1 team dynamic. What’s really happening behind the scenes?

Sergio Perez lost his seat with Red Bull at the end of a disastrous 2024 for the Mexican but his two replacements, Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda,…

Lando Norris backed to win home British GP by McLaren boss as he looks to close gap to Oscar Piastri in world title fight!

Lando Norris’s McLaren boss Andrea Stella has backed his man to deliver the first back-to-back win of his career at Sunday’s British Grand Prix. Norris took a…

F1 cult hero hints Max Verstappen is ‘already team-mates’ with rival after spotting what he did at Austrian Grand Prix!

The champion’s unusual behaviour raised eyebrows MAX VERSTAPPEN’s surprising reaction to his crash with Kimi Antonelli in Austria could be because they are ‘already team-mates’, an F1…

Cadillac F1 chief Graeme Lowdon drops ‘experienced’ hint over 2026 driver decision!

Cadillac will join the Formula 1 grid in 2026 as the sport’s 11th team, providing two extra race seats that the likes of Sergio Perez, Valtteri Bottas…

Prince William’s Latest Action at 43 Has Sent Shockwaves Through the Royal Family! With an Unexpected Change in Titles, What Are the Implications of This Move, and Could It Mark the Beginning of a New Era for the British Monarchy?

Prince William’s Bold Decision: The Changing Face of the British Monarchy The British monarchy has always been a symbol of continuity and tradition, with its royal titles,…

Love Island Star’s Shocking Decision to Relocate to Australia After Struggling to Find Work in the UK

The former islander says that she has become more self conscious after growing an audience on social media and thinks it would be easier to get a…