Report: Cade Winquest Makes Yankees’ Opening Day Roster

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The 25-year-old Texas native has yet to pitch above Double-A, let alone in the Majors, and his spring stats certainly reflected this; Winquest pitched 10 innings for New York this spring, giving up nine runs (eight earned), three home runs, and striking out eight. Per Heyman, the Yankees are happy with the direction he’s taken since joining the club this offseason. Plus, there have been plenty of successful jumps from Double-A straight to MLB; just look at Juan Soto.

Formerly a starter, Winquest will join a Yankee bullpen that is hoping to get back on its feet after a tumultuous 2025 regular season and postseason. Through 25 appearances across Double-A and High-A, he notched a 4.58 ERA with 110 strikeouts over 106 innings, surrendering 39 walks and seven home runs. It’s too early to tell whether or not his stuff will translate to Major League Baseball, especially since he has yet to make his MLB debut, but clearly the Yankees believe that there is something there. And, in all fairness, this is a coaching staff that has been excellent at picking up under-the-radar bullpen pieces, so perhaps Winquest will be New York’s next diamond in the rough reliever.