Yankees Cut Ties with History-Making Pitcher Who Broke 1973 Drought

Cade Winquest was designated for assignment after failing to make an appearance for the Yankees this season.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 2:38am

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A fractured, cubist-style painting depicting the motion of a baseball pitcher, broken down into overlapping geometric shapes in muted tones of navy, green, and ochre, conceptually representing the challenges young players face in breaking into the major leagues.The Yankees' decision to cut ties with a young pitcher who made the roster but never debuted reflects the high-pressure environment and competitive nature of the storied franchise.NYC Today

The New York Yankees designated for assignment Cade Winquest, a Rule 5 Draft pick who made the team's Opening Day roster this season - the first time the Yankees had done so since 1973. Winquest never actually pitched for the Yankees, despite being warmed up multiple times, and will now be offered back to the St. Louis Cardinals, the team from which he was selected.

Why it matters

The Yankees' decision to cut ties with Winquest after he failed to make an appearance highlights the difficulty of keeping a Rule 5 Draft pick on the major league roster for an entire season, a requirement for the team to retain his rights. It also underscores the challenges young players can face in breaking into the majors, even with an opportunity like making a storied franchise's Opening Day roster.

The details

Winquest, a 6-foot-2 right-handed pitcher, had a 3.19 ERA in eight starts at Double-A Springfield in the Cardinals' system last year. This spring, he struggled with the Yankees, posting a 6.48 ERA in 8.1 innings with 11 hits and six earned runs allowed while striking out seven. Despite making the Yankees' Opening Day roster, Winquest never actually appeared in a game, with the team warming him up multiple times as if he could come in to pitch.

  • The Yankees designated Winquest for assignment on April 10, 2026.
  • Winquest had made the Yankees' Opening Day roster earlier in 2026, the first time the team had done so with a Rule 5 Draft pick since 1973.

The players

Cade Winquest

A 6-foot-2 right-handed pitcher who was selected by the Yankees in the 2025 Rule 5 Draft from the St. Louis Cardinals' system, where he had a 3.19 ERA in eight starts at Double-A Springfield the previous year.

New York Yankees

The storied Major League Baseball franchise based in New York City that had not kept a Rule 5 Draft pick on their Opening Day roster since 1973 until Winquest made the team this season.

St. Louis Cardinals

The MLB team from which the Yankees selected Winquest in the 2025 Rule 5 Draft, and to whom he will now be offered back after being designated for assignment by the Yankees.

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What they’re saying

“Cade Winquest DFA'ed by Yankees. Made the team out of spring but never debuted.”

— Jon Heyman, MLB Insider

What’s next

If the Cardinals take Winquest back, he can go back down to the minor leagues. There are no guarantees about when he might return to the majors.

The takeaway

The Yankees' decision to cut ties with Winquest after he failed to make an appearance highlights the difficulty young players can face in breaking into the majors, even with an opportunity like making a storied franchise's Opening Day roster. It also underscores the challenges teams face in keeping Rule 5 Draft picks on their major league rosters for an entire season.