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Yankees' Bullpen Woes Plague Early Season Struggles
17 Apr
Summary
- Angels hit a record 13 home runs in a four-game series.
- Yankees' bullpen ERA of 4.13 ranks 17th in 2026.
- Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodón expected to anchor the rotation.
The New York Yankees are navigating an early-season slump, highlighted by a recent series split with the Los Angeles Angels. A significant concern for the team is their bullpen, which has been a weakness since last year and shows little sign of improvement. This was evident as the Angels launched a record 13 home runs across a four-game span.
While the starting rotation is expected to stabilize with the eventual returns of Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodón, forming a formidable five-man unit, the bullpen remains a major question mark. Despite some dependable arms, the overall lack of lockdown relief options has led to struggles, with a bullpen ERA of 4.13 in 2026 placing them 17th.
Potential solutions from the minor league system, such as Carlos Lagrange or Yovanny Cruz, may be needed to bolster the relief corps. Without significant improvements, the Yankees' bullpen issues could continue to undermine the strengths of their pitching staff and lineup throughout the season, potentially necessitating midseason trades or reshuffles.
