TAMPA — An impromptu media scrum with Brian Cashman yielded some answers on Saturday, particularly with regards to the Yankees’ rotation.
For one, the general manager said that Carlos Carrasco will be on the team’s roster. While that announcement was nothing more than a formality at this point, the veteran non-roster invitee had the ability to opt out of his minor league deal on Saturday if he wasn’t rostered.
“He’s had a good camp, and obviously, he’s earned the right to come north with us,” Cashman said of the right-handed Carrasco, who has a 1.69 ERA this spring.
While Carrasco is now lined up for a spot in the Yankees’ rotation, Cashman said that Clarke Schmidt will begin the season on the injured list. That was also expected, as the righty’s spring was delayed by a cranky back and shoulder fatigue.
Schmidt has only appeared in one spring game, though he threw live batting practice earlier this week.
“He just hasn’t had a spring training yet,” Cashman said. “He’s certainly going in the right direction.”
With Schmidt behind schedule and Gerrit Cole and Luis Gil facing extended absences, Will Warren is the logical internal choice for the last spot in the Yankees’ rotation. However, the Yankees can option Warren if they add another starter; they could use some depth.
Cashman wouldn’t say if Schmidt’s IL stint means Warren will open the season in a rotation that also includes Carlos Rodón, Max Fried and Marcus Stroman.
HAMILTON ALSO RUNNING LATE
Cashman said that Ian Hamilton (unspecified infection) will also have to start the season on the IL. He just made his spring debut on March 20, so he’s behind schedule as well.
Cashman didn’t want to suggest any frontrunners for the team’s three open bullpen spots, though Yoendrys Gómez certainly appears to be one of them and is out of minor league options.
BEETER SIDELINED
Clayton Beeter (shoulder) will not be a bullpen option anytime soon. Cashman said the righty will be out “a while,” an unfortunate outcome for a rookie who had a strong shot at impacting the Yankees’ bullpen.
MATZEK’S NEXT OUT
Tyler Matzek could have opted out of his minor league deal on Friday, but did not as he recovers from an oblique injury. He told the Daily News he has another opt out set for May 1.
