Cashman: Yanks need pitching, but 'very little is available'

TAMPA, Fla. – Brian Cashman acknowledges that the Yankees’ pitching depth has been tested this spring, and the general manager said Tuesday he expects it will be “difficult” to replenish those reserves until later in the season.

“We’ll just evaluate what’s available, and this time of year, very little is available,” Cashman said Tuesday, a day after the Yankees announced that ace right-hander Gerrit Cole would have season-ending Tommy John surgery. “Normally, the more significant opportunities don’t exist until the Trade Deadline.

“When we’ve had these conversations many a time over, you hope you can withstand injuries and avoid injuries early from Spring Training up through the Draft, because going outside the organization is just that much more difficult to do. So we’ll rely on what we have, and we’ll explore what is limited available in the marketplace.”

Cashman’s comments track with a report Tuesday from MLB Network’s Jon Paul Morosi, who squashed industry reports of a possible trade for the Padres’ Dylan Cease, adding that the Yankees are “reluctant” to add payroll.

The club is already expected to exceed the $301 million competitive balance tax threshold. And though managing general partner Hal Steinbrenner said getting below that figure is not a priority, Cashman acknowledged it makes it “less likely” the Yankees will add more.

“We’ve obviously got big commitments already,” Cashman said. “The inventory that is going to be available is going to be limited, and then there’s costs associated with those acquisitions. Some of it is in terms of prospect value. Some of it is in terms of money.”

In addition to Cole and Luis Gil, Cashman noted the Yankees lost J.T. Brubaker to three fractured ribs earlier in camp, while Chase Hampton, New York’s No. 9 prospect per MLB Pipeline, needed Tommy John surgery. The Yanks’ remaining rotation candidates include No. 5 prospect Will Warren, Carlos Carrasco and Allan Winans.

“We’ve taken a number of hits in the starting rotation,” Cashman said. “We certainly can’t afford to take too many more.”

Back on the bump
Clarke Schmidt made his first Grapefruit League start of the spring on Tuesday, permitting three runs on four hits and one walk in 1 2/3 innings in the Yankees’ 6-2 split-squad loss to the Orioles. The right-hander’s line was dented by Ryan Mountcastle’s three-run homer in the first inning.

Though the results weren’t ideal, Schmidt was satisfied by his velocity, which touched 95.6 mph and averaged 94.5 mph with his two-seamer. That’s a pitch Schmidt said he has been working on in live batting practice and bullpen sessions, tinkering with grips.

“I think number one is health, just continuing to get out of each outing and build the pitch count up,” said Schmidt, who threw 23 of 38 pitches for strikes. “I’m feeling good physically. When you get out there and you start getting deeper in counts and deeper in innings, it’s just continuing not to fatigue and not lose your stuff.”

Schmidt was slowed earlier in camp by a stiff back, which manager Aaron Boone believes has completely resolved.

“The back thing was really minor, so I’m not that concerned about it,” Boone said.

Lefty to lefty
Boone said Max Fried is “not necessarily” a lock to be named the Yankees’ Opening Day starter, noting that Fried’s pitching schedule may not line up for the March 27 assignment against the Brewers. But the manager said he would not hesitate to slot Fried and fellow southpaw Carlos Rodón back to back in the rotation.

“They’re very different in how they go about it,” Boone said. “Maybe if they were very similar, I’d be more inclined to split them up. But there’s a good chance you could see them back to back.”