Yankees bullpen uncertain as injury concerns grow
The New York Yankees optioned Brent Headrick to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre after Wednesday night's win in Kansas City. No corresponding move has been announced yet, but the bullpen is down a man, and the options are thinning out.
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Headrick had been used in low-leverage spots and posted a 4.73 ERA over 11 appearances. He pitched well enough to stick, but with a limited role and an option remaining, he was the easy move.
New York Yankees relief pitcher Luke WeaverKen Blaze-Imagn Images
The timing comes as the Yankees are already shorthanded and in the middle of a stretch where they play 16 games in 16 days. 7
Luke Weaver is on the injured list with a hamstring strain, and now Jake Cousins is dealing with a UCL injury that could keep him out long-term. Cousins had been one of the more effective arms at Triple-A and was a likely candidate for a call-up later this month.
That leaves the Yankees with fewer clear paths.
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Cam Schlittler and Allan Winans are both candidates at Triple-A. Schlittler has pitched well, though he's never appeared in a major league game. Winans has experience and has been logging consistent innings. Both could give the Yankees length if needed.
This isn't a crisis, but it's a roster pinch.
With Weaver out, Cousins shelved, and no obvious choice on the 40-man roster, the Yankees will either need to make a corresponding move soon or go short in the bullpen for a day or two. That rarely lasts long.
The Yankees have managed the bullpen with discipline all year, but the cracks are showing. And this stretch, with injuries piling up and innings stacking, will test how deep that bullpen really is.
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Related: Yankees Update Jazz Chisholm Jr. Status After Another Early Injury Exit
Related: Marcus Stroman Takes Surprising Turn As Yankees Face Big Decision
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 12, 2025, where it first appeared.
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