Yankees adding Carlos Carrasco to 40-man roster, solidifying rotation spot

When the Yankees signed Carlos Carrasco to a minor-league contract in early February, there was no expectation of him appearing in the Opening Day rotation. But the door suddenly opened in camp, and the veteran right-hander walked straight through.

Defying the odds with an impressive spring training, the Yankees plan to add Carrasco to their 40-man roster on Saturday, according to YES Network's Jack Curry, in a move that all but guarantees him appearances in the Bronx for the foreseeable future.

The Yankees were running out of time to make a decision, as Carrasco's minor league deal included an opt-out clause that he could've triggered if he wasn't selected to the roster. If the 38-year-old had opted out, the team would've then been given 48 hours to either add him or allow him to become a free agent.

Carrasco didn't make the situation the least bit complicated. He's posted a stellar 1.69 ERA through five spring appearances, and struck out 15 batters across 16 innings. The encouraging performances can be attributed to offseason adjustments to his mechanics and arm slot.

While the roster spot was well-earned by Carrasco, the Yankees were in no position to pass on his services. The team is entering the 2025 season without Gerrit Cole (Tommy John surgery) and Luis Gil (lat strain), plus Clarke Schmidt (shoulder fatigue) is expected to begin the campaign on the injured list.

New York can only hope that Carrasco's spring success translates against the best major league talent. His 2024 season with the Cleveland Guardians was underwhelming, as he logged a bloated 5.64 ERA in 21 starts (103.2 innings). The results in 2023 were even worse -- he produced a ghastly 6.80 ERA in 20 starts for the Mets.

If the improvements to his arsenal are legitimate, Carrasco has a chance to resemble more of his 2022 self. That year in Queens, he recorded 29 starts -- his highest mark since 2018 -- striking out 152 batters in as many innings with a respectable 3.97 ERA.

Topics

Carlos Carrasco’s strong spring has him ‘right in the middle’ of Yankees’ rotation conversation

When Carlos Carrasco signed with the Yankees this offseason, his path to a roster spot looked virtually nonexistent — but as we’ve seen so often in this sport, things can change in a hurry.
Yahoo Sports - Mar. 15
Carlos Carrasco stellar again, Yankees' bats silent in loss to Braves

Carlos Carrasco strengthened his case to make the Opening Day roster but the Yankees' bats were silent as they fell to the Braves, 4-0, in split-squad action.
Yahoo Sports - 3d
NYY's Schmidt set for IL, Carrasco makes roster

Yankees GM Brian Cashman says right-hander Clarke Schmidt will begin the season on the injured list, paving the way for non-roster invitee Carlos Carrasco to make the team.
ESPN - 16h
One week out from Opening Day, a look at the Yankees' projected roster

It's our last, best guess at the 26 players going north for Yankees Opening Day, with Ben Rice, Pablo Reyes and Carlos Carrasco making strides.
Yahoo Sports - 3d
Carlos Carrasco fans six, Yankees' backup catchers homer in win over Phillies

In his third start of spring training, Carlos Carrasco struck out six across three-plus innings in the Yankees' 6-5 win over the Phillies on Friday night at Steinbrenner Field.
Yahoo Sports - Mar. 15
Yankees name Carlos Rodón opening day starter

NEW YORK — With Gerrit Cole lost to Tommy John surgery, the Yankees have settled on a new opening day starter. Carlos Rodón will take the ball when the Bombers host the Brewers on March 27. Aaron ...
Yahoo Sports - Mar. 15
Final Yankees 26-man roster prediction for 2025 season

Here is our final Yankees 26-man roster prediction for the 2025 MLB season as Opening Day approaches...
Yahoo Sports - 2d
Austin Wells homers twice, Carlos Rodon solid in final spring start as Yankees beat Tigers

Austin Wells continued his hot hitting and Carlos Rodon was solid in his final spring start as the Yankees defeated the Detroit Tigers, 4-0, in Lakeland.
Yahoo Sports - 1d
Twins have roster spots still up for grabs with no decisions finalized yet

FORT MYERS, Fla. — Mickey Gasper has been fighting for a roster spot practically his whole life going back to high school, and the utilityman has learned a valuable lesson from those experiences. ...
Yahoo Sports - 15h
Dominic Smith’s surprise shot at Yankees’ roster follows years of pain

TAMPA — As Dominic Smith met with Dr. Steven Shin at the Cedars-Sinai Kerlan-Jobe Institute in Los Angeles early last year, all the pain he had experienced began to make sense. Smith, a non-roster ...
Yahoo Sports - 3d
Jackson Jobe and Casey Mize have made Detroit Tigers starting pitching rotation

Detroit Tigers optioned RHP Keider Montero to Triple-A Toledo on Saturday, allowing Casey Mize and Jackson Jobe to claim final spots in the rotation.
Yahoo Sports - 23h
Keider Montero's Detroit Tigers roster push takes hit in 4-0 loss to New York Yankees

Detroit Tigers score: Keider Montero got thumped early by the New York Yankees in a 4-0 loss, in his final start of the spring on Friday night.
Yahoo Sports - 1d
Why Santos' rise should earn him Warriors playoff rotation spot

Gui Santos played a pivotal role in the Golden State Warriors' win over the Detroit Pistons on Saturday at Chase Center.
Yahoo Sports - Mar. 9
Gerrit Cole injury: Trade candidates, free-agent targets for Yankees with ace headed for Tommy John surgery

New York's rotation is suddenly in peril with the loss of Cole and Luis Gil
CBS Sports - Mar. 11
Bethune on Spirit roster after freak pitching injury

Washington Spirit midfielder Croix Bethune has been removed from the season-ending injury list and added to the team's active roster, although she is listed as questionable for Friday's NWSL opener ...
ESPN - Mar. 15
'Not having a hit-off': Final roster call looms for Cincinnati Reds manager Terry Francona

Jacob Hurtubise, Blake Dunn and Stuart Fairchild are battling for the Cincinnati Reds' final two roster spots on the hitting side.
Yahoo Sports - 13h
Column: Chicago White Sox decisions may come down to last minute — but does it matter who’s on opening roster?

PHOENIX — With one week to go until opening day, the Chicago White Sox roster remains in flux. Several jobs are open for position players, the bullpen and even the back end of the rotation. Could ...
Yahoo Sports - 3d
AL East division preview: Lineups, rotations and one question to watch for each team ahead of 2025 season

Can the Yankees repeat? Did the Red Sox do enough? Everything to know about the AL East for 2025
CBS Sports - 3d
Gerrit Cole injury: Yankees unlikely to look outside organization for pitching help, says GM Brian Cashman

With Cole out for the season and Luis Gil down through at least April, the rotation has already been hit hard
CBS Sports - Mar. 11
Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire Week 23: Adding Jaden Hardy could help you navigate volatile rotations, more

Also, find out why Tre Jones' efficiency on offense shouldn't be looked upon as a total fluke
CBS Sports - 1d
House GOP campaign arm rolls out ad targeting Democrats over shutdown vote

The National Republican Congressional Committee rolled out an ad Wednesday targeting House Democrats who voted against a measure on Tuesday to fund the government through September and avoid a ...
The Hill - Mar. 12
Detroit Tigers' Jace Jung finally hit home run, but Opening Day roster spot uncertain

Detroit Tigers third baseman Jace Jung went 229 days without hitting a home run, including the 45 days he spent playing 34 games in his MLB career.
Yahoo Sports - Mar. 16
Bears sign WR Devin Duvernay

The Bears have added a second free agent wide receiver to their roster.
Yahoo Sports - 3d
Game Pass Core, The Cheaper Option, Is Adding More Games Soon

Microsoft will soon expand the roster of titles in the Game Pass Core library, something it rarely does. The cheapest Game Pass tier ($10/month) will add three more games on March 26.. These ...
GameSpot - 4d
Jacksonville Jaguars reportedly sign former Eagles OL Fred Johnson to one-year deal

The Jacksonville Jaguars aren't quite done adding players to their roster in free agency. They've reportedly added another offensive lineman.
Yahoo Sports - 3d
NFL free agency tracker 2025: Signings, trades, roster moves for all 32 teams

A look at who each team has added as the 2025 NFL free agency period gets under way
Yahoo Sports - Mar. 11
Questions about quarterbacks: Indianapolis Colts free agency grades on roster moves in first week

The Indianapolis Colts added talent in some areas but lost key players at others. So are they better than they were a week ago?
Yahoo Sports - 6d
England squad: Three Lions vets Kyle Walker, Jordan Henderson back; Trent Alexander-Arnold, Jack Grealish out

Thomas Tuchel's first England roster is not a complete revamp, with many old stalwarts still in trusted spots
CBS Sports - Mar. 14
Tigers clear way for prospect Jobe to join rotation

The Tigers have cleared the path for top prospect Jackson Jobe to open the season in the rotation by optioning right-hander Keider Montero to Triple-A.
ESPN - 17h
Athletic Bilbao wins 1-0 at Sevilla to solidify its fourth place in Spanish league

Athletic Bilbao solidified its fourth place in the Spanish league with a 1-0 win at Sevilla on Sunday. Villarreal, which has a game in hand, lost 2-1 to leader Real Madrid on Saturday after Kylian ...
Yahoo Sports - 6d
Yankees lose 3rd starting pitcher with Clarke Schmidt set to start season on IL with shoulder injury

The Yankees are already down to their No. 8 starter.
Yahoo Sports - 15h
Tennessee Titans add a QB, sign San Francisco 49ers' Brandon Allen to a one-year deal

The Tennessee Titans added a quarterback to the roster on Thursday, signing San Francisco 49ers backup Brandon Allen to a one-year deal.
Yahoo Sports - Mar. 14
Eagles agree to a deal with TE Kylen Granson

The Eagles added another tight end to the roster, agreeing to a deal with former Colts pass catcher Kylen Granson.
Yahoo Sports - Mar. 14
Jets to re-sign RB/KR Kene Nwangwu

The Jets added running back/kick returner Kene Nwangwu to their roster in 2024 and he will be back with the team for the 2025 season.
Yahoo Sports - Mar. 14
2025 NFL mock draft roundup: Expert predictions after free agency

The Giants haven't yet added a veteran quarterback to their roster. Experts believe they could trade up in the 2025 NFL draft because of that.
Yahoo Sports - 5d
Schallock, oldest living ex-MLB'er, dies at 100

Pitcher Art Schallock, who in 1951 replaced future Hall of Famer Mickey Mantle on the Yankees' roster and had been the oldest living former major leaguer, has died at age 100.
ESPN - Mar. 9
Trent Grisham, Ben Rice homer again as Yankees fall to Blue Jays

The Yankees fell to the Toronto Blue Jays by a score of 6-5 on Monday afternoon.
Yahoo Sports - 5d
Tigers' top prospect Jackson Jobe is expected to be included in the rotation to open the season

The Detroit Tigers cleared the path for top prospect Jackson Jobe to open the season in the rotation on Saturday when they optioned right-handed pitcher Keider Montero to Triple-A Toledo. Jobe is ...
Yahoo Sports - 20h
Patrick Johnson returns to Eagles on a 1-year deal after spending 2024 with the Giants

The Eagles have added pass rush depth to the roster, agreeing to a deal with linebacker Patrick Johnson after he spent last season with the rival Giants
Yahoo Sports - Mar. 14