Everything to Know About Yankees Pitching for Playoff Push

The New York Yankees are still embroiled in a race for first place in the AL East, sitting four games back of the Toronto Blue Jays for that top spot after falling in the opener of a three-game set between the two clubs in The Bronx this weekend.

The Yankees also currently occupy the top Wild Card spot in the AL and are 5 1/2 games up on the Texas Rangers, the first team out of the field, meaning they've all but punched their ticket to the playoffs.

Pitching depth is especially important this time of year, so let's take a look at the state of the Yankees' rotation and bullpen as October rapidly approaches.

Sep 2, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; New York Yankees starting pitcher Max Fried (54) delivers a pitch during the first inning against the Houston Astros at Daikin Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images | Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

Current Starting Rotation

LHP Carlos Rodón
RHP Cam Schlittler
RHP Luis Gil
LHP Max Fried
RHP Will Warren

This group, barring any injuries, is unlikely to change down the stretch of the regular season and into the playoffs. The rotation will shorten once the postseason hits, and the order in which the Yankees decide to deploy their starters will be dependent on their seeding and whether or not they have to play a three-game Wild Card series.

At the very least, Fried and Rodón are locks to make outings in October while Schlittler is presenting a strong case to be the club's No. 3 starter.

Aug 11, 2025; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees relief pitcher David Bednar (53) follows through on a pitch against the Minnesota Twins during the ninth inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images | Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Current Bullpen

RHP David Bednar
RHP Luke Weaver
RHP Devin Williams
RHP Camilo Doval
RHP Fernando Cruz
LHP Tim Hill
RHP Mark Leiter Jr.
LHP Ryan Yarbrough
RHP Paul Blackburn

This unit will also likely remain untouched, at least during the regular season, outside of Blackburn, who will become a prime candidate to be designated for assignment once left-hander Brent Headrick (forearm) completes his rehab assignment.

Once the playoffs roll around and rosters shrink back down to 26 players, however, the Yankees will have some tough decisions on their hands. Another factor to keep in consideration is that the club will almost certainly look to move one or more of its starting pitchers into the bullpen once the time comes.

Now, let's take a look at New York's depth options just in case they need to reach into the minor leagues for reinforcements.

Aug 4, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; New York Yankees relief pitcher Jake Bird (59) in action during the game between the Texas Rangers and the New York Yankees at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images | Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Bullpen Depth

RHP Jake Bird
RHP Ian Hamilton
RHP Yerry De los Santos
LHP Jayvien Sandridge
RHP Scott Effross

All five of the above pitchers have appeared in major league games for the Yankees over varying sample sizes this season and are currently playing for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre while residing on the 40-man roster, providing the club with a nice pool of arms to fall back on if necessary.

Bird is the highest-profile name amongst this bunch considering New York gave up a pair of prospects in Roc Riggio and Drew Shields in order to acquire him from the Colorado Rockies at the deadline. The 29-year-old logged a 27.00 ERA over two innings for the team, however, before getting optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and posting a 6.10 ERA for them across 10 1/3 frames.

Hamilton has pitched to a 3.45 ERA in 135 2/3 innings for the Yankees since 2023 while De los Santos owns a 3.28 ERA over 35 2/3 big-league frames this season. Sandridge allowed two earned runs in 2/3 of an inning during his only appearance for New York while Effross is responsible for an 8.44 ERA across 10 2/3 frames.

Jun 23, 2025; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; New York Yankees starting pitcher Allan Winans (62) pitches against the Cincinnati Reds in the fifth inning at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images | Katie Stratman-Imagn Images

Rotation Depth

RHP Allan Winans
RHP Kenta Maeda

Winans has been spectacular for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre all season, putting up a 1.33 ERA in 19 outings (16 starts) and 87 2/3 innings. He's had trouble finding success in the majors with an 8.68 ERA over three appearances (one start) and 9 1/3 innings this year, but he could receive some work if necessary for the Yankees over the next few weeks.

New York signed Maeda, a nine-year major league veteran and former AL Cy Young runner-up, to a minor league contract in early August after opting not to trade for a starter at the deadline. The 37-year-old has recorded a 5.08 ERA over 331 big-league innings since the start of the 2021 campaign and has posted a 5.40 ERA in five starts with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, but he too is an option if worse comes to worst for the Yankees given his experience.

The organization's starting pitching depth took a hit after Gerrit Cole, Clarke Schmidt and top prospect Chase Hampton all underwent Tommy John surgery, but they could move Yarbrough or Blackburn (if they hold onto him) back to the rotation or use them as spot starters if need be as well.

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