Yankees Editorial: Should Adam Warren Remain in the Starting Rotation?

Though Adam Warren is yet to pitch into the sixth inning of a ballgame, he’s given the Yankees everything else they can ask for out of a fifth starter.

As a matter of fact, the 27-year old is coming off the best start of his career in Monday night’s 4-1 win over the Tampa Bay Rays at Yankee stadium. Though he didn’t earn the win, he left the ballgame after 5.2 quality innings, allowing just five hits, one earned and fanned a career-high six batters. It wasn’t an overpowering start by any means, but for the third time in four starts, he pitched well enough to put his team in position to win the game.

Ironically, he gave up the lone earned run in his final inning of work when Stephen Drew made his best impassion of a touchdown spike, bounce throwing a force at home to Brian McCann, ultimately allowing David DeJesus to beat the throw and tie the ball game. Yes, DeJesus only reached third because of a wild pitch from Warren earlier in the inning, but the play at the plate should be routine for someone of Drew’s defensive caliber.

Warren, in the midst of his third full season with the Yankees, was only moved into the starting rotation when Chris Capuano suffered a lower body injury in spring training that caused him to start the season on the DL. Warren solidified the fifth and final rotation spot by out-pitching Esmil Rogers, Bryan Mitchell and Tuesday night’s spot-starter, Chase Whitley, in a healthy spring training battle.

With Capuano set to return in the coming weeks, it’s likely that Adam Warren would either be sent back to the bullpen, where he’s served over the past two seasons, or optioned to the minors to continue working as a starting pitcher.

However, Tuesday’s breaking news of Masahiro Tanaka being placed on the 15-day DL might change that original plan.

Either way, I think Warren has certainly displayed that he’s capable of being a reliable starting pitcher. What do you think Yankee fans? Let us know in the comments below.

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