The New York Yankees have a sudden competition between two players.
The New York Yankees' starting rotation has been brilliant this season, this in spite of the fact that it was missing Carlos Rodon up until this past Sunday and is still without Gerrit Cole, who is currently making rehab starts.
Max Fried has done a tremendous job headlining the rotation, Cam Schlittler is developing into a star and both Will Warren and Ryan Weathers have been impressive.
With Rodon back in the fold and Cole returning soon, as well, we know that Fried, Schlittler, Rodon and Cole are guaranteed rotation slots. That leaves one spot remaining for either Warren or Weathers, and while it appeared to be a foregone conclusion that the former would get it, that is no sure thing anymore.
Why? Because Weathers is in the middle of his best MLB season, owning a 3.00 ERA while allowing 37 hits and racking up 54 strikeouts over 45 innings of work.
Most recently, the left-hander took a no-hitter into the seventh inning against the Baltimore Orioles, only to lose it and watch Brent Headrick enter the game and surrender a three-run home run.
The Yankees acquired Weathers in a January trade with the Miami Marlins, sending four prospects back to the Marlins in exchange. Initially, it appeared like a hefty price to pay for a pitcher who had made just 24 starts the preceding two campaigns, but the early returns have been great for New York.
New York Yankees pitcher Will Warren. Credit: Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images.Then, there's Warren, who tossed his first full big-league season last year and showed flashes, recording a 4.44 ERA and 9.5 K/9 across 33 starts.
In 2026, the 26-year-old has been far better, boasting a 3.42 ERA while having registered 59 punchouts through 47.1 frames.
So, who will end up going to the bullpen?
The smart money is still probably on Weathers, who has never thrown 100 innings once since entering the big leagues with the San Diego Padres back in 2021 and has been behind Warren in the Yankees' rotational pecking order. Not that the latter means all that much anymore.
Weathers' stuff should translate very well to the pen. He touches 97 mph with his fastball and features some nasty movement, and you have to wonder if he can boost that velocity up closer to 100 mph in a shorter-inning role.
Heck, Warren could probably manage well as a reliever, too, especially considering he is averaging 11.2 strikeouts per nine innings this season. But you kind of get the feeling New York wants to keep its former top prospect as a starter.
Nevertheless, a very intriguing roster battle is currently unfolding with Cole probably due back sometime around June 1. It sure will be fun to watch Warren and Weathers duke it out for that final spot in the rotation.
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