Yankees Pitcher Will Warren Poised for Breakout Season in 2026

The 26-year-old right-hander could become a key part of the Yankees' starting rotation this year.

Mar. 29, 2026 at 5:36am

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New York Yankees pitcher Will Warren is expected to take on a larger role in the team's starting rotation in 2026 after a solid 2025 season. Despite not being one of the team's top-billed starters, Warren has the opportunity to establish himself as a reliable workhorse who can complement the Yankees' star-studded pitching staff.

Why it matters

The Yankees are aiming to field one of the best starting rotations in baseball this season, and Warren's development could be crucial in providing depth and consistency to the staff. As the team's younger arms look to take the next step, Warren's ability to eat innings and keep the Yankees in games will be an important factor in their success.

The details

In 2025, the 26-year-old Warren made 33 starts for the Yankees, posting a 9-8 record with a 4.44 ERA over 162.1 innings. While his overall numbers were solid, he showed flashes of potential, ranking in the 94th percentile in Fastball Run Value. This offseason, Warren has focused on improving his command and efficiency to take his game to the next level.

  • Warren made his first start of the 2026 season on March 26.
  • Yankees manager Aaron Boone earned his 700th career win on March 29.

The players

Will Warren

A 26-year-old right-handed starting pitcher for the New York Yankees who is expected to take on a larger role in the team's rotation in 2026 after a solid 2025 season.

Aaron Boone

The manager of the New York Yankees, who recently earned his 700th career win.

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What they’re saying

“Will's kind of the non-talked-about guy, I feel like, in our rotation. He looks great. Obviously, he threw the ball well for us last year, but it feels like another notch to me.”

— Aaron Boone, Yankees Manager

“Just going up there and throwing my stuff over the plate. This whole spring, [the goal has been] being as efficient as possible. Max Fried's made a great career out of that, and he's going to keep doing it. So trying to pitch like that.”

— Will Warren

“My command was a little wonky today. They did a good job of fouling stuff off and making me work. That drove the pitch count up, but overall, we got after it, and I only gave up one run.”

— Will Warren

What’s next

The Yankees will continue to monitor Warren's progress as he looks to solidify his spot in the starting rotation. His next start will be a key test as the team prepares for the regular season.

The takeaway

While the Yankees' rotation is headlined by established stars, Will Warren's development could be a crucial factor in the team's success this season. If he can build on his 2025 performance and become a reliable workhorse, it would provide valuable depth and stability to the pitching staff.