TAMPA — Ron Turcotte is the only thing missing from the Yankees Fifth Starter Derby.
“Right now if we had to make a decision today, we all know what the decision would be,’’ GM Brian Cashman said before the Yankees lost 7-2 to the Mets at George M. Steinbrenner Field. “There is a Secretariat in the race. Right now [Adam] Warren has a big lead in this. We don’t have to make that decision today. When you are running the race someone is ahead of the field, but it can change drastically. As of right now if we had to make a call today, it would be Warren.’’
Turcotte was aboard Secretariat for all three Triple Crown victories in 1973 and guided Secretariat to a 31-length victory in the Belmont in a record 2:24 for the 1 ½-mile race.
Entering camp Warren, 27, was locked into a bullpen spot after making 69 relief appearances last season, when he went 3-6 with a 2.97 ERA. The fifth starting slot opened when lefty Chris Capuano suffered a strained quadriceps muscle serious enough for the veteran to start the season on the disabled list.
The entrants were Esmil Rogers, Chase Whitley, Bryan Mitchell and Warren. Because of Warren’s bullpen experience and Rogers’ solid spring hurling, Rogers entered Tuesday night’s start against the Tigers with what appeared to be a slight lead. However, he was rocked for five runs (one earned thanks to his fielding error) and five hits in three innings.
Warren, who faces the Rays on Thursday in Port Charlotte, will be making his fifth spring start. In 13 innings, he has given up 13 hits, fanned six and hasn’t allowed a walk.
With Rogers headed to the bullpen and Mitchell likely going to the minors, the Yankees will be looking for one final arm. Wagner product Andrew Bailey who pitched Wednesday, is in the mix. So, too, is lefty Chasen Shreve, righty Scott Baker and the right-handed Whitley.