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Yankees' Rule 5 Pick Never Pitched, Cut After Opening Day
11 Apr
Summary
- Cade Winquest made the Opening Day roster but never played a game.
- He was designated for assignment to make room for another pitcher.
- Winquest is a 'phantom ballplayer,' joining a rare historical group.
Cade Winquest, a 25-year-old pitcher, recently experienced a unique chapter in his baseball career. He was informed he had made a Major League Baseball Opening Day roster, flashing credentials at Oracle Park in San Francisco on March 25. Despite being with the team through series in the Bay Area and Bronx, Winquest never entered a game.
Winquest was subsequently designated for assignment on Friday, clearing a roster spot. This move concluded his unusual stint as a "phantom ballplayer," a term for those who make a roster but never play. General manager Brian Cashman acknowledged the situation, stating it "didn't work out the way that we wanted," but expressed continued belief in Winquest's talent.
As the Yankees' first Rule 5 Draft selection since 2011, Winquest faced stiff competition from other pitchers during spring training. Manager Aaron Boone noted that while Winquest was "very close" to getting into a game, the team's focus on immediate competition made patience a luxury.
The Yankees are prioritizing winning now, making it challenging to carry players like Winquest. This rule makes it difficult to hold onto such players without them seeing game action, as they must remain on a Major League roster for the entire season or be offered back to their original team.
