Yankees Start 2026 Without Any Starters from Opening Day in 2024
Baseball rosters are constantly evolving, and nowhere is that more evident than in the starting rotation. In 2024, Gerrit Cole and his early-season absence forced the Yankees to piece together a patchwork staff. Ironically, that group helped propel the team to the World Series, yet just two years later, not one of those five is in the 2026 Opening Day rotation. Each has exited the New York stage, some temporarily and others for good, a testament to how quickly and unpredictably management or performance can overhaul the starting five.
Let’s begin with the man renowned for his stop-and-start delivery and trademark mustache in the form of Nestor Cortes. His herky-jerky, delayed motions made him a distinctive and memorable presence on the mound. Originally the Yankees’ fifth starter, Cortes was offered the Opening Day assignment when others refused to shift out of their preferred rotation spots. The Cuban-American lefty enjoyed a career year in 2022, posting a stellar 12-4 record with a 2.45 ERA over 28 games. However, a string of injuries would take its toll during his two stints in pinstripes. Cortes went 9-10 in 2024 before being traded, along with Caleb Durbin, to the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for Devin Williams. His World Series appearance and subsequent grand-slam home run ball to Freddie Freeman hastened his departure.
Carlos Rodón, the number two starter, began his second season in New York after a disappointing first campaign. However, he embraced the pressure of holding down the ace position, which was one of the reasons the Yankees made it to the World Series. He finished with a 16-9 record. After an even better season in 2025, Rodón underwent surgery for bone chips in his elbow and will be out for at least two months to start the 2026 season.
Marcus Stroman was the elephant in the room, the spark that ignited controversy, leading to Cortes getting the Opening Day start. Stroman had a solid season, especially in the first half, before tailing off. Outspoken and often a distraction on a team not known for making waves, he became a divisive presence in the clubhouse. He wasn’t used for a single inning in the 2024 postseason. This was ironic, considering a 2020 quote when he compared himself to the Yankee staff at the time, stating that none of them were in his league and always folded. In August of 2025, the Yankees released him.
Clarke Schmidt is an enigma. He possesses a five-pitch arsenal and was once destined to be the number three starter or better. His ongoing problem, both then and now, is injuries. Schmidt simply cannot stay on the field, missing significant chunks of every season. He has been a career .500 pitcher, and in 2026, he is slated to miss time again. The issue with Clarke is that whenever he finally gets on the field, he usually gets hurt soon after. Clarke is not reliable physically and should not be expected to have any impact on the 2026 season.
Luis Gil, the fifth starter, was the revelation of the season after an impressive spring training, pitching at an ace level. His velocity and sharp command were reminiscent of prime Luis Severino at his best. Gil went 15-7, pitching 157 innings and striking out 171 batters. He won the A.L. Rookie of the Year award, serving as the catalyst for the Yankees' survival during the 2024 campaign and their return to the World Series. Now, however, he has been slowed by arm troubles, and after a subpar spring will return to the minors. The Yankees are starting the season with a four-man rotation, taking advantage of several off days in April to evaluate Gil as he works through his issues in Scranton. Just two seasons ago, the Yankees had to patch together a starting five. Now, they have assembled a stronger mix, with the promise of Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodón as reinforcements later in the season.
The constant evolution of the Yankees’ rotation is a reminder that no pitching staff remains intact for long. Injuries, trades, and unexpected performances continue to reshape the roster, making stability the rare exception rather than the rule. For the Yankees, this challenge is even more pronounced; rarely have they managed to keep their elite starters healthy and together for an entire season. As another campaign begins, hope springs eternal, but history shows that flexibility, depth, and resilience are just as critical as star power on the mound.
