Yankees' latest round of spring training roster cuts hint at bullpen decision

Amid rumors that the New York Yankees intend to explore adding pitching depth when several opt-outs and non-roster invitee decisions hit this weekend, the team demoted a pair of potential Opening Day roster contenders on Thursday.

After sending infielder Jorbit Vivas down to minor-league camp on Wednesday night, the Yankees followed suit by demoting both Allan Winans and Brandon Leibrandt — a right-hander and a lefty — ahead of Thursday night's game against the Orioles.

Leibrandt, a college teammate of Luke Weaver, threw 12 1/3 solid innings this spring, but was never given much serious public consideration as an MLB option to start the season. Winans, on the other hand, who returned to the Yankees after an earlier winter DFA, was projected as a possible longman/the final arm in the big-league bullpen after Carlos Carrasco turned from "depth arm" to "likely No. 5 starter."

That re-categorization didn't help Winans much (and neither did his back-to-back outings of four runs allowed against the Phillies, the latter of which came on Wednesday afternoon). He was sent down in the wake of that tough outing.

The New York Yankees demoted Allan Winans, a favorite for the final bullpen spot. Will Brent Headrick get the job?

Right-hander Yoendrys Gomez is currently carrying a shutout across 9+ innings this spring, rendering his out-of-options status irrelevant; he's earned the job, and will likely be able to provide the Yankees with bulk.

As the Yankees wait for Jake Cousins to recover, they've seen the favorite for the final spot go from Carrasco (in the rotation) to JT Brubaker (injured ribs) to Tyler Matzek (also hurt) to Winans, now demoted. Brent Headrick, a left-hander swiped from the Twins this offseason, might be the current betting favorite; he was stretched to near-50 pitches against the Cardinals a week and a half ago, in a surprising display of his stamina.

Of course, you could also bet on the field, and you could do so comfortably. The Yankees have played the DFA game with their 40-man roster all spring, from Winans to Owen White to Braden Shewmake to Roansy Contreras. Expect them to monitor the market closely this weekend and attempt to find another hidden gem — and maybe a right-handed bat, too.