Gerrit Cole’s Return: Yankees Face Rotation Questions Amid Bullpen Struggles

Gerrit Cole is set to take the mound for his second start of the season tonight in Kansas City, building on a promising debut last Friday. Although he didn’t get to log as many innings as he would have preferred, all signs point to him being unrestricted against the Royals. This opens up speculation about the impact Cole can have on the Yankees’ rotation moving forward. While a return to his 2019 form seems unlikely, if he can perform as the third-best pitcher behind talents like Cam Schlittler and Max Fried, the Yankees’ rotation could become a formidable force.

The performance of the Yankees’ bullpen has been under scrutiny this season, widely regarded as the weakest link in the team. Questions arise about the current construction of the bullpen, which includes two pitchers—Paul Blackburn and Ryan Yarbrough—who excel as multi-inning options. However, their performances have not been stellar enough to rule out other alternatives within the Yankees’ system, especially given the current group’s struggles with velocity and strikeouts.

As the season approaches the Memorial Day weekend, it’s a fitting time to evaluate the state of the 2026 Yankees. The team appears top-heavy, featuring standout players like Cam Schlittler, Aaron Judge, and Ben Rice, while also carrying a disproportionate number of underperformers. Among the latter is Austin Wells, a player whose parents might soon be receiving a call about his progress.

Meanwhile, Ryan McMahon finds himself in a precarious position. After being benched for two consecutive games—first in favor of José Caballero and then for Amed Rosario—his role seems increasingly uncertain. Although McMahon is recognized for his defensive skills, his inability to contribute offensively raises concerns, as the Yankees cannot afford to leave potential runs on the table game after game.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.