Yankees Add Rule 5 Draft Pick Cade Winquest to Opening Day Roster

With just over 24 hours remaining before the highly anticipated Opening Day, the New York Yankees finalized their active roster by selecting the contract of right-handed reliever Cade Winquest. The news was first reported by Jon Heyman, highlighting a significant move for the team as they prepare for the season ahead.

Winquest, who was chosen from the St. Louis Cardinals in the Rule 5 Draft, marks a notable addition for the Yankees. He becomes only the ninth player the franchise has selected since the Rule 5 Draft’s inception in 1965 and the first since Brad Meyers in 2011. This selection is particularly historic as it brings Winquest into the fold as the first Rule 5 Draft pick to make the Yankees’ Opening Day roster since first baseman Josh Phelps in 2006.

As per the rules of the draft, the Yankees are required to keep Winquest on their active roster for the entire season. He cannot be optioned or designated for assignment, meaning the team must either utilize him or offer him back to the Cardinals should he clear waivers.

The 25-year-old right-hander has primarily served as a starter throughout his three seasons in the Cardinals organization, spanning from Low-A to Double-A. However, the Yankees believe his talents are best suited for a bullpen role this season. Winquest boasts a mid-90s fastball, but his standout pitch is an upper-70s curveball that recorded a remarkable 46-percent whiff rate in 2025, making him an intriguing prospect for the back end of the bullpen.

Despite a challenging spring training where he posted a 7.20 ERA and 7.45 FIP over nine relief appearances, the Yankees remain optimistic. Spring training results can often be misleading, and players frequently showcase more when the stakes are higher. Winquest is the second player vying for a spot who has secured a place on the big-league team, following the contract selection of non-roster invitee Randal Grichuk.

Winquest will join Ryan Yarbrough and Paul Blackburn as low-leverage options in the Yankees’ bullpen, all capable of stepping in for a spot start if needed. With his addition, the Yankees’ 26-man roster is nearly complete, although there may be an opportunity to create another spot by optioning Luis Gil as they initially employ a four-man rotation for the opening weeks of the season.

Currently, Brent Headrick and Jake Bird are in contention for the final roster spot, with Osvaldo Bido also in the mix, given his position on the 40-man roster. The final decision on the 26th man will soon be revealed, and fans are eager to see how the roster shapes up as the season kicks off.

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