After enduring a crushing 18-2 defeat at the hands of a relentless Dodgers lineup, the Yankees found themselves in a bit of a pitching predicament. Will Warren's start was rough enough to force New York to burn through their entire bullpen, and with a series finale looming, a change seemed almost certain. The assumption was that the Yankees would call in some reinforcements, perhaps a new starter who could handle a longer outing than what Ryan Yarbrough was expected to deliver.
Instead of shaking things up entirely, the Yankees decided to play it safe, tapping into their roster flexibility. Enter Carlos Carrasco, a familiar face who was designated for assignment earlier but stayed within the organization at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Having cleared waivers, Carrasco found himself back in pinstripes, ready to potentially relieve Yarbrough during Sunday's game if needed.
The decision to bring Carrasco back into the fold might not have Yankees fans jumping for joy, but let’s lay out the logic. With Allan Winans and Clayton Beeter having already pitched in the minors on Saturday, and Scott Effross not quite ready to carry a significant load, the Yankees didn’t have a lot of options. Carrasco's role here is more as insurance than transformation—he's a placeholder in case things go sideways like they did on Saturday.
Yarbrough, who is set to start, isn't likely to go deep into the game, given his typical five-inning workload. Hence, having Carrasco ready in the bullpen is about preparation and damage control. They're hoping Carrasco can absorb innings if the score gets lopsided or if Yarbrough’s day ends early.
The larger backdrop to this move is the simmering frustration among the Yankees' faithful. Facing a dominant Dodgers squad exposed some of the Yankees’ vulnerabilities. However, adding Carrasco isn't necessarily about amplifying those woes—it's a strategic, stop-gap measure designed to preserve the bullpen for future games when fresh arms are crucial.
So, while it might not be the lineup shake-up some might have wanted, Carrasco's call-up reflects a need for stability during a rocky stretch. It's a calculated move by the Yankees' management to avoid a repeat of Saturday night's bullpen exhaustion while giving the team a chance to regroup and focus on the bigger picture as the season unfolds.
