Will Warren will get another chance after performing well in his MLB debut.
The right-hander is scheduled to start Game 2 of a doubleheader against the Angels on Wednesday as the Yankees’ 27th pitcher in the Bronx.
Luis Gil, who was scheduled to start Tuesday’s game, which was postponed because of the storm, is expected to start in the first leg on Wednesday.
Warren made his major league debut last week against the Phillies after Gerrit Cole was sidelined with fatigue, giving up four runs in 5 1/3 innings, three of which came on a home run by Austin Hayes.
But he’s since settled in, retired 12 of the last 14 batters he faced and will have a chance to build on that momentum on Wednesday.
“I actually felt like even after getting hit in the mouth like that, he stepped up and got even better and finished the night strong and helped us get the win,” head coach Aaron Boone said Tuesday. “I feel like he’s been in good form throwing the ball for the last month or two, and I’m excited to see him back on the court.”
The 25-year-old Warren, who competed for the fifth starter spot out of spring training, got off to a rough start this season at Triple-A but turned things around in June.
In his debut against the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park, Warren’s presence and confidence caught Boone’s eye.
“He was probably a little nervous early on, but pitching in Philadelphia against that lineup felt like a big game and he’s coming into the game with a lot of confidence.” [and the] We need something to back that up,” Boone said.
Nestor Cortes was originally scheduled to start Wednesday, but Tuesday’s postponement (after Monday’s offense) meant Boone couldn’t say yet whether the Yankees would push everyone else’s starts back a day, leaving room for a reshuffle of the rotation.
Clark Schmidt (latissimus strain) completed 20-pitch batting practice on Tuesday afternoon and is scheduled to face batters again on Saturday.
If all goes well, he could begin a rehab assignment. He hopes to return by the end of the month, and Boone said that’s a realistic goal.
“Today was a big step forward. I felt good, I played really well and, most importantly, I had good control,” Schmidt said. “Hopefully I can play like I used to without losing my rhythm.”
The Yankees plan to develop Schmidt as a starter but will make adjustments along the way if necessary.
“I want to be able to start games in September. I want to start playoff games,” Schmidt said. “That’s probably where I can help the team the most. Right now, if a team comes to me for whatever reason and says, ‘We need you in the bullpen,’ I’m here to help them.”
George Lombard Jr., the Yankees’ first-round draft pick in 2023, was promoted to High-A Hudson Valley on Tuesday.
The 19-year-old shortstop appeared in 81 games for Low-A Tampa, batting .232 with a .693 OPS and 30 stolen bases.
