The New York Yankees announced a significant pitching staff change ahead of their game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, selecting veteran right-hander Carlos Carrasco from Triple-A Scranton. This move coincided with right-hander Jake Woodford opting out of his minor league contract and re-entering free agency, causing a reshuffle in the bullpen. To accommodate Carrasco, the Yankees sent right-hander Yerry De los Santos to Triple-A, ensuring roster flexibility without needing to adjust the 40-man roster.
Jake Woodford’s Journey and Recent Performance Before Free Agency
Jake Woodford, 28, originally a first-round draft pick by the St. Louis Cardinals in 2015, made his MLB debut in the shortened 2020 season. His rookie year was challenging, posting a 5.57 ERA while primarily pitching in relief. However, Woodford improved over the next two seasons, maintaining a respectable 3.26 ERA with a 3.93 FIP over 116 innings, relying heavily on inducing ground balls rather than strikeouts. Despite effective command and a 45.8% groundball rate, his relatively low strikeout percentage became a liability later.
In 2023, Woodford struggled, reflected in a 6.23 ERA and 6.61 FIP across nearly 48 innings, prompting the Cardinals to non-tender him in November. Since then, he has moved between teams, including the Chicago White Sox and Pittsburgh Pirates, where he combined for a 7.97 ERA over 35 major league innings in 2024. Woodford’s Triple-A performance was more promising, with a 3.93 ERA in 94 innings. After being designated for assignment by the Pirates, he signed a minor league deal with the Colorado Rockies but left before the regular season started. Subsequently, he joined the Yankees’ Triple-A roster and posted a 4.54 ERA in nearly 40 innings before opting out to become a free agent once more.
Carlos Carrasco’s Return to the Yankees and Expected Role
Carlos Carrasco, 38, returns for his second stint with the Yankees this season amid a rotation plagued by injuries and workload concerns. Originally making the Yankees’ Opening Day roster, Carrasco struggled earlier in the year, posting a 5.91 ERA and a 5.30 FIP in 32 innings with the Bronx. Though those numbers reflect a decline from his days as a reliable mid-rotation starter in Cleveland, the Yankees are betting on his durability and experience to help stabilize the pitching staff.
Carrasco’s veteran presence and long major league career, spanning 16 seasons, are highly valued in New York, where he is seen as a positive clubhouse influence. The Yankees anticipate that his ability to cover multiple innings will be crucial as their bullpen faces significant strain in the coming weeks.
Implications for the Yankees’ Pitching Depth and Upcoming Games
With pitching staff decisions unfolding right before a tough matchup against the Dodgers, the inclusion of Carrasco and Woodford’s departure signals the Yankees’ immediate need for experienced arms. Carrasco’s availability adds depth to a bullpen that recently required seven pitchers during a heavy loss, highlighting the physical toll on the pitching corps. Meanwhile, Woodford’s exit leaves the team without a younger arm who had shown flashes of promise but struggled to maintain consistency at the major league level.
The clubhouse leadership and innings-eating ability Carrasco brings could prove vital as New York navigates the challenges of the 2024 campaign. While his recent statistics are far from dominant, the Yankees appear focused on leveraging his veteran savvy during a stretch where pitching resources are stretched thin.