Will Warren didn’t hide what this moment feels like.
After taking the loss in Wednesday’s 3-1 defeat to the Cardinals, the Yankees right-hander said there is “definitely a lot of uncertainty” around what comes next as Carlos Rodon inches closer to rejoining the rotation.
Warren worked 5 1/3 innings and gave up three runs on seven hits. He was sharp early, throwing four scoreless innings before the Cardinals broke through with three runs in the fifth. He finished with five strikeouts and one walk.
Asked directly whether he feels uneasy about his place in the starting mix, Warren kept it simple.
“There’s definitely a lot of uncertainty,” Warren said. “I think it’s a good thing we have all these arms.
At the end of the day, my job is to take the ball every time I get it. Whenever that is, I’m going to go out there and try to execute.”
Rodon, who has been sidelined since July 3 because of left elbow inflammation, is moving closer to game action. He handled a 40-pitch live BP on Aug. 3 without any issues, and his next step is a rehab start Saturday with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
Clarke Schmidt is also working back, with a return targeted for next month after Tommy John surgery on July 11, 2025.
Those two comebacks could reshape how Aaron Boone uses the staff. With the Yankees having passed on adding a bullpen arm at the deadline, Warren and Ryan Weathers could wind up in relief roles once the rotation gets healthier.
“At some point, Ryan Weathers will move to the bullpen,” ESPN’s Buster Olney said Thursday on air. “[The Yankees] will be the team to beat [in the American League].”
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