NEW YORK — The New York Yankees faced another setback in their pitching rotation as Ryan Yarbrough was placed on the 15-day injured list with a strained right oblique. This development comes ahead of rookie Allan Winans’ anticipated Major League debut Monday night against Cincinnati, after an impressive streak at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre where he went 7-0 with a 0.90 ERA.
Yarbrough, a 33-year-old right-hander who joined the Yankees’ rotation in May, has recorded a 3-1 record with a 3.90 ERA across eight starts and eight relief appearances. His most recent outing was a no-decision in a loss to the Los Angeles Angels on Wednesday.
Manager Aaron Boone Details Yarbrough’s Injury and Team Roster Move
Yankees manager Aaron Boone described how Yarbrough’s discomfort grew over the last few starts.
“Something that’s been kind of coming on a little bit in his second-to-last start and then a little more sore towards the end of this last start,”
Boone said Sunday. He added,
“After his last start was pretty sore the next day and then before he was getting ready to throw his side the other day felt like couldn’t quite do it.”
A medical scan revealed a low-grade strain, prompting the Yankees to make the injured list placement retroactive to Friday. To fill the vacancy, New York recalled left-hander Jayvien Sandridge from the RailRiders. The team also continues to deal with significant absences from Gerrit Cole (recovering from Tommy John surgery), AL Rookie of the Year Luis Gil (strained lat), and Marcus Stroman (left knee inflammation).
Allan Winans Readies for His First Start with the Yankees
With the rotation stretched thin, the Yankees will turn to rookie Allan Winans, who will become the team’s eighth starting pitcher of the season—a figure that matches their entire total in 2024. Winans, a 29-year-old right-hander, was originally drafted by the New York Mets in the 17th round of the 2018 amateur draft and made his Major League debut with Atlanta in July 2023. Over two seasons, he has an 1-4 record and a 7.20 ERA in eight starts. The Yankees acquired him via waivers on January 23.
This season, Winans’ fastball has averaged 90 m.p.h., and he mixes various pitches with sinkers, changeups, sliders, and curveballs, demonstrated in a recent 4-3 victory over Louisville. Boone praised Winans’ performance in Triple-A, saying,
“He’s been tremendous. To be this deep in the season as a starting pitcher, have sub-1 (ERA), it’s been really, really excellent,”
and expressed hope,
“So, hopefully, he brings some of that up here with us tomorrow.”
Marcus Stroman Nearing Return After Rehab Starts
Meanwhile, Marcus Stroman, sidelined since April 11 due to left knee inflammation, is preparing for his third minor league rehab appearance this coming Tuesday. Boone anticipates Stroman to pitch around 70 pitches during the outing and indicated that he could soon be ready to rejoin the active roster.
“Hopefully around 70 pitches or so and then be in the mix,”
Boone stated.
Implications for the Yankees’ Challenged Rotation
The Yankees have endured a turbulent season with multiple key pitchers sidelined, including ace Gerrit Cole and rising star Luis Gil, which has forced reliance on less experienced arms like Winans and Sandridge. Yarbrough’s injury further complicates the rotation’s stability, putting additional pressure on rookies and bullpen depth. The outcome of these changes will be critical for the Yankees as they navigate their schedule and pursue success in a challenging division. Winans’ major league debut represents a test of the Yankees’ ability to adapt and sustain pitching performance amid setbacks.