Aaron Boone’s finally disclose the Yankees’ fifth starter.

This spring, two men went on a quest. You may head to the bullpen.

Following Gerrit Cole’s injury, the New York Yankees have a number of internal possibilities to fill out the rotation. Two of them have showed promise, and one has shown exceptionally well.

At least in the start of the year, the last contender might be even more impressive coming out of the bullpen. Fortunately, the Yankees have openings in that area as well.

The Yankees’ preparations underwent an apparently drastic change on Sunday, when both Will Warren and Clayton Beeter faced a lineup full of Red Sox starters, only one day after Luis Gill destroyed the Toronto Blue Jays with his upgraded heater.

In the first inning, Warren was given the full Yankees baptism as two fielding blunders around a home run by Trevor Story and a single by Rafael Devers. This resulted in the right-hander’s eventual removal and a barrage of unearned runs (which were, once more, kind of earned because of the longball). In the end, he returned to the game for the second inning and got rid of Connor Wong and breakout prospect Ceddanne Rafaela (for the second time in two innings).

Aaron Boone was impressed by Warren’s tenacity even though Beeter finished the game after five hits and three earned runs. When Warren talked about his thoroughness and sticktoitiveness, beat journalists saw a gleam in his eye reminiscent of Anthony Volpe’s.

After a brilliant showing against the Red Sox, will Warren still have the advantage for the Yankees’ fifth starting spot?
Following the defeat, Boone paid much greater attention to what transpired after Trevor Story made Warren pay in the first frame, when his defense crumbled.

It appears that this resilience may determine the team’s stance when selecting its Opening Day roster:

““Certainly a struggle [in the first inning], but kind of showed us who he was,” Boone said. “I thought he was pretty sharp the rest of the way. Unfettered. In fact it’s times like this you learn a little more, even more about a guy. I think he’s really good. I think he’s really good right now.””

Gil has had an incredible spring; in four appearances (two starts), he has allowed just five hits and four walks while striking out 18 guys in 11 2/3 innings. Nevertheless, Gil’s spring workouts are his first meaningful ones since the Tommy John surgery that ended his 2022 season. The Yankees should limit the amount of mileage they can put on his arm, since his 99 mph stuff might be rather effective in short relief a la Michael King.

The Yankees in 2024 will rely heavily on both pitchers, especially considering the depth they gave up to acquire Juan Soto. After this weekend’s work, the somewhat underperformer could be the betting favorite for the rotation.