3 Yankees who could sneak onto Opening Day roster after recent injuries

Jimmy Cordero, RHP

Shoutout to surprise offseason addition Ian Hamilton, too, who's been ruthlessly efficient in dismissing batters at the pitch clock's behest, but Jimmy Cordero likely has an advantage over him in leaping onto the Opening Day roster.

The Yankees have been patient with Cordero, allowing him to rehab from Tommy John surgery on their dime and extending him a 40-man spot this winter after plenty of waiting around. That might be the difference this offseason, as the 31-year-old Cordero won't require a secondary maneuver to be added to the bullpen.

Greg Weissert is also likely to be considered for the final bullpen spot, but his spring hasn't gone quite as well as Cordero's. He's allowed (gasp) an earned run across three outings!

Yeah, we're splitting hairs here, but that's how dominant Cordero's been. Known mainly for the potentially apocryphal story about how he once hit 104 MPH as a Phillies minor-leaguer, the right-hander with the power sinker (that's Matt Blake's music!) has allowed a single hit in three shutout innings this spring while touching the upper 90s. His highest pitch count in an inning? 12. Overall, he's sitting at 30 pitches through three frames.

No decision will be made solely based on Spring Training dominance, something Aaron Boone has made perfectly clear while discussing the left field and shortstop races. The team's patience with Cordero hints he's had their eye for quite a while, though, and a strong spring is only reinforcing the Yankees' old notions.

Clarke Schmidt, RHP

Pending unforeseen complications, Domingo Germán all but sewed up the fifth starter spot earlier this week, after the lanky right-hander battled poor spring umpiring to shut down the Pirates' bats again on Monday night.

It's the right move. He's the "proven" option. It's just a fifth starter role meant to soak up innings and create relatively little drama. Germán has looked sharp so far in camp, which shouldn't be the deciding factor ... but it helps.

So, what of Clarke Schmidt and his new cutter, meant to neutralize lefties and increase his shot at getting a rotation spot this season? Prior to Kahnle's injury, the Yankees probably intended to send him to Triple-A to keep him stretched out for the next starting pitching injury. Now, does he travel north for Opening Day as a short-relief weapon, just like last year? Does Krook get the "next in line" status at Triple-A, considering we've seen Schmidt perform well in late-inning scenarios, and haven't watched the left-hander do it yet?

Schmidt's future is likely in the rotation -- or, at least, it should be. But losing Kahnle could earn him more big-league appearances, even if they're not the kind he enjoys most.