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Try it freeTAMPA — Carlos Carrasco had the right to opt out of his contract on Saturday, but he’s not going anywhere.
The Yankees are adding the veteran right-hander to their roster, general manager Brian Cashman said, with Carrasco set to start the season as a member of the rotation because of injuries elsewhere.
“Obviously he’s earned the right to come north with us,” Cashman said.
The 38-year-old Carrasco has had a strong camp, pitching to a 1.69 ERA with 15 strikeouts in 16 innings.
He has seen a tick up in his fastball velocity from the last few seasons, which have been a struggle.
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Carrasco is on track to be the No. 4 starter with Will Warren set to claim the fifth spot.
Aaron Boone said the decision on Warren had “pretty much” been made, but he was not ready to make it official.
Carrasco and Warren are in play because of injuries to Gerrit Cole (Tommy John surgery) and Luis Gil (lat strain), plus Clarke Schmidt not being ready to start the season on time because he has only built up to 32 pitches after being slowed by shoulder fatigue.
Yankees starting pitcher Carlos Carrasco (59) throws a pitch in the first inning against the Atlanta Braves during spring training at George M. Steinbrenner Field on March 19. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters ConnectThe Yankees opened a spot for Carrasco on the 40-man roster by putting Cole on the 60-day injured list.
Fear not, Aaron Judge did not forget how to hit a home run.
The reigning AL MVP went deep for the first time this spring Saturday off Phillies lefty Jesús Luzardo, doing so in his 34th plate appearance.
He did not hit one last spring and typically spends camp working on other things, but has started to get some results over the last few games.
“I think he tries different things, tinkers with things throughout the spring,” Boone said. “But I feel like the last several games especially, he’s winning a lot of pitches and today got some good swings off.”
Judge said earlier this spring he wanted to get 40-50 at-bats, which he is on track to do.
Mark Leiter Jr., pitching in his first game since March 6 because of a back issue, struck out the side on 13 pitches in the fifth inning.
Jorge Posada arrived at camp on Saturday as a guest instructor. … Cam Schlittler, who suddenly represents one of the top starters in the next layer of pitching depth, finished off a strong camp Saturday by throwing four scoreless innings against the Phillies.
The Yankees made another round of cuts after Saturday’s game, reassigning RHP Colten Brewer, RHP Geoff Hartlieb, OF Ismael Munguia, INF/OF Andrew Velazquez and LHP Rob Zastryzny to minor league camp.
