Yankees Finally Name an Opening Day Starting Pitcher

The Yankees had their rotation all but set with Gerrit Cole slated to start Opening Day until Cole's injury sent the team and the media into a frenzy.

The Yankees were hammered to name an Opening Day starter with Carlos Rodon and Marcus Stroman both turning down the opportunity, instead opting to stay with their current scheduling rather than making adjustments to their plans a few weeks from Opening Day.

The Yankees will start Nestor Cortes on Opening Day in Houston while Carlos Rodon will pitch Game Two, and Marcus Stroman will pitch Game Three. This will be the first Opening Day start for the lefty and an incredible progression in the career of Cortes. "Nasty Nestor" had a disappointing 2023 after an All-Star season in 2022 with a 4.97 ERA In just 12 starts missing time due to hamstring and rotator cuff injuries.

The lefty hasn't looked as good as Yankees fans would hope in Spring Training with an 8.10 ERA in three starts across ten innings.

The Yankees rotation appears all but set which comes as a disappointment to Yankees fans wishing for a Blake Snell or Jordan Montgomery signing. The biggest question mark will be the Yankees' fifth starter as Luke Weaver will likely fill the role while young pitchers Clayton Beeter and Will Warren have made impressive pushes for a spot within the starting rotation.

Tons of Question Marks in this Yankees Rotation

The Yankees rotation has plenty of question marks as we head into the 2024 season where the team has World Series aspirations. The first is if and when Gerrit Cole will return to the rotation after dealing with arm injuries? The most troubling is if Carlos Rodon will return to his pre-yankees form. Many are wondering what Clarke Schmidt will look like after a career high in innings pitched. Nestor Cortes will have to overcome a poor 2024 if the Yankees hope to make a deep playoff push.

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