Yankees Rookie Running Out of Time to Prove Himself

The rookie right-hander lasted just four innings in Sunday’s series finale in Pittsburgh, allowing four earned runs on six hits. He walked one and struck out five. It was an uneven outing that leaves the Yankees with a difficult question:

Has Warren shown enough to hold onto his spot, or is it time to send him back to Triple-A?

Warren has minor league options, meaning he can be sent down without the Yankees risking losing him. Veteran Carlos Carrasco, who is scheduled to make his second start Tuesday, does not. Cutting Carrasco would mean removing him from the roster entirely.

Veteran Marcus Stroman, who came into spring training as Yankees trade bait, also allowed four runs over just four innings on Saturday, and he has the benefit of a track record. He has a 7.77 ERA over two starts, but he is likely to be allowed to struggle until the Yankees can make a deal for another starter.

Warren, 25, is considered part of the Yankees' future, but injuries rushed him into their present. The Yankees can send him to Triple-A, where he can continue to develop without pressure.

Schmidt, who’s been sidelined with a back issue since spring training, struck out seven over 3 1/3 scoreless innings in a rehab start Saturday. He’s expected to rejoin the Yankees rotation around April 15 or 16.

When he does, someone has to go.