The New York Yankees are in a tailspin, and with their playoff hopes teetering, the front office is scrambling for answers. As the roster crunch looms with players returning from the injured list, tough decisions are on the horizon. Some players are underperforming and running out of chances, while others, despite solid contributions, may be squeezed out due to roster constraints. By the time September arrives, these four players could find themselves off the Yankees’ 26-man roster, victims of a brutal numbers game.
1. Ahmed Rosario: The Utility Man Caught in a Crunch
Ahmed Rosario, a long-time target of the Yankees, finally donned pinstripes at the trade deadline, and he didn’t disappoint out of the gate, hitting a blistering .600 over his first three games. But that hot start might not be enough to secure his spot. Rosario’s versatility is a plus, but his defensive limitations are glaring. He’s barely played shortstop this season (just two innings), and his glove doesn’t shine at any position.
With Jose Caballero offering superior defense and four years of team control, Rosario’s expiring contract makes him expendable. Add in Austin Slater’s impending return from injury, and Rosario’s role becomes even shakier. Slater, a natural outfielder who crushes left-handed pitching, fits the Yankees’ needs better. The timing of both players’ recoveries will dictate the final call, but Rosario’s days in the Bronx could be numbered, even if he’s done little to deserve the boot.
2. Jonathan Loaisiga: A Reliever Whose Time Has Run Out
Once a dazzling middle reliever in 2021, Jonathan Loaisiga has become a liability in 2025. His mistakes have cost the Yankees dearly, and while he’s currently sidelined on the injured list, his return might not guarantee a roster spot. The bullpen is getting crowded with the additions of David Bednar and Camilo Doval, plus Fernando Cruz nearing a return. Meanwhile, Yerry De los Santos, with his sparkling 1.63 ERA, has outshone Loaisiga.
The reality is harsh but clear: Loaisiga’s inconsistency has made him the odd man out. The Yankees can’t afford to keep rolling the dice on a pitcher who’s lost his edge, especially with stronger options ready to step in.
3. Mark Leiter Jr.: A Victim of Bad Timing
Mark Leiter Jr.’s case is a frustrating one. His peripherals scream potential—high strikeouts, solid walk rates, and excellent home run suppression—but the results haven’t followed. Before landing on the injured list, Leiter Jr. was plagued by a barrage of hits, often exacerbated by overuse and being thrust into high-leverage situations beyond his comfort zone.
The Yankees are taking a cautious approach with his recovery, but with the bullpen picture tightening, his underwhelming pre-injury performance could seal his fate. Leiter Jr. isn’t entirely to blame, but in a results-driven game, he’s likely to be the one squeezed out when the roster dust settles.
4. Brent Headrick: The Long Ball Could Be His Undoing
Southpaw Brent Headrick has been a reliable mop-up man, boasting a 32.1% strikeout rate, a stingy 5.1% walk rate, and a respectable 3.60 ERA. But there’s a glaring flaw: when he gets hit, the ball often leaves the yard. His 1.80 HR/9 rate is a red flag, and with Ryan Yarbrough nearing a return as a superior innings-eater, Headrick’s role is in jeopardy.
Headrick has filled in admirably, but the Yankees can’t afford a reliever whose mistakes turn into game-changing homers. Unless he can tame his home run problem, the former Twin will likely find himself off the roster before September.
The Yankees’ roster crunch is a brutal reality of a 26-man limit in a season where injuries and underperformance have forced tough choices. Rosario’s versatility, Loaisiga’s past promise, Leiter Jr.’s potential, and Headrick’s reliability might not be enough to save them. As the team reshuffles its deck to find the perfect lineup for a postseason push, these four players are on the chopping block, proving that in baseball, sometimes even a .600 batting average isn’t enough to secure your spot.