Injuries to starting pitchers give an opportunity to prospect Will Warren for the Yankees

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WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — The Yankees will have to find pitchers who can pitch this season.

Luis Gil has been sidelined for months with a lat strain, and Gerrit Cole’s elbow issues have raised concerns about the Yankees’ rotation. As a result, there are now two openings in the pitching staff.

“That’s two big, big parts of our team,” manager Aaron Boone said of Gil and Cole. “There’s no sugarcoating — that’s a blow.

“But it’s also a great opportunity for someone else and people that we believe in.”

Behind Max Fried, Carlos Rodón and Clarke Schmidt are Marcus Stroman and likely Will Warren.

Potential replacements include veterans like Carlos Carrasco, who is in camp as a non-roster invitee, as well as up-and-comers like Saturday starter Allan Winans and prospects Sean Boyle and Cam Schlittler.

Warren, a solid prospect who debuted without much success last season, has looked like a new pitcher in camp.

He has struck out 11 and allowed two hits and one run in eight Grapefruit League innings.

Will Warren, who has had a solid spring training, has a chance to crack the Yankees' starting rotation due to the injuries to Luis Gil and Gerrit Cole. — Will Warren, who has had a solid spring training, has a chance to crack the Yankees’ starting rotation due to the injuries to Luis Gil and Gerrit Cole. Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

Yankees manager Boone expressed optimism about one candidate, Warren, ahead of a game against the Astros. Boone praised Warren’s performance and stated his belief that Warren has the potential to succeed as a starting pitcher in the major leagues.

“Is that ready to be now? Sure looks like he’s gotten better over the winter. He’s gotten better this spring. So he’s put himself in the mix for that conversation.”

If not Warren, perhaps Carrasco could win a rotation spot and roster spot.

Former Met Carlos Carrasco, Carlos Carrasco, a veteran who is in camp on a non-roster invitation, could now be a contender for a Yankees' starting rotation spot. — Former Met Carlos Carrasco, Carlos Carrasco, a veteran who is in camp on a non-roster invitation, could now be a contender for a Yankees’ starting rotation spot. AP

The 15-year major leaguer has encouraged this spring, in which his fastball velocity has ticked up a bit.

If neither, perhaps Winans could surprise. The Yankees claimed the righty off waivers from the Braves in January and successfully snuck him through waivers.

The 29-year-old was a 17th-round pick of the Mets in 2018 and taken by the Braves in the minor league Rule 5 draft before the 2022 season. He appeared in eight major league games with Atlanta the past two seasons.

The Yankees made two more camp cuts, reassigning righty Eric Reyzelman to minor league camp and optioning righty Michael Arias to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.