The New York Yankees entered the season brimming with optimism for their starting rotation, making a splash by signing ace Max Fried in the offseason to fortify their pitching arsenal. Fried was poised to lead the charge, but fate had other plans for the Bronx Bombers’ mound masters.
Tragedy struck early when the team’s undisputed ace, Gerrit Cole, was sidelined for the entire year following Tommy John surgery in March. Still on the mend, Cole is projected to miss the opening weeks—or more—of the 2026 campaign, leaving a gaping hole in the rotation.
But the injury woes don’t stop there. Fellow starter Carlos Rodon is also set to sit out the early going after undergoing surgery to remove loose bodies and a bone spur from his elbow. With two key arms down, the Yankees are scrambling to piece together a competitive staff for next spring.
Enter the unlikely hero of 2025: left-handed pitcher Ryan Yarbrough, who emerged as a versatile lifesaver for the club. Juggling roles as both a starter and reliever, Yarbrough delivered clutch performances before a right oblique strain in June temporarily derailed his momentum.
Now, as Yarbrough heads into free agency at season’s end, MLB insider Joel Sherman is pounding the table for the Yankees to bring him back. In a recent analysis, Sherman argued that Yarbrough is the perfect bridge: “The Yanks could look to plug in a starter to cover innings early who has the ability to flip to the pen if the Yankees’ rotation ever gets whole. Yarbrough is capable of filling that slot if the Yankees go that way.”
It’s a no-brainer fit. Not only can this shocking lefty step in to eat innings during the injury-plagued start, but he seamlessly transitions to the bullpen once Cole and Rodon reclaim their spots. In a market thin on multi-role talents, Yarbrough stands out—and he won’t break the bank, making him an affordable, high-upside reunion.
As the Yankees eye another World Series run, ignoring this insider’s call could be a costly oversight. Will they run it back with Yarbrough? The clock is ticking.