MLB.com tracks all the latest Yankees-related free agency and trade rumors here.
March 14: Yanks interested in 2023 All-Star pitcher (report)
On Wednesday, the Yankees' rotation took a big hit with the news that Gerrit Cole is expected to be sidelined for at least a month with a right elbow injury, as reported by MLB Network insider Jon Heyman. On the plus side, Cole's MRI reportedly showed no tears in his UCL, but tests are scheduled by Dr. Neil El-Atrache to determine the cause of the inflammation and pain. .
Even when Cole was healthy, New York's rotation had a lot of question marks. With him out, adding a starting pitcher could become a priority before the regular season begins.
To that end, Heyman wrote to X on Thursday that the team “checked in” on right-handed starter Michael Lorenzen. The 32-year-old free agent was an All-Star with the Tigers last season and posted a 3.58 ERA in 105 2/3 innings with Detroit before being traded to the Phillies before the trade deadline.
The Yankees were previously linked to trade rumors for White Sox right-hander Dylan Cease, but Chicago traded Cease to the Padres on Wednesday night. MLB Network Insider john paul morosi It was reported that the Yankees had made a final offer to the right-handed pitcher shortly before he was traded to San Diego. Heyman said the White Sox are also among the teams interested in Lorenzen.
SNY's Andy Martino reported Monday that Cole's injury did not cause the Yankees to restart their pursuit of free agent Blake Snell. Snell also rejected a qualifying offer, so in order to sign the left-handed pitcher, the Yankees would have to forfeit their No. 2 and No. 5 picks in the 2024 MLB Draft and receive $1 million from the international bonus pool for the upcoming contract period. The dollar would have to be stripped away. .