Yankees have left a clear problem firmly in the past

Feb 21, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; New York Yankees pitcher Carlos Lagrange (84) throws a pitch against the Detroit Tigers during the second inning in a Spring Training game at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images

A season ago, the New York Yankees never quite felt like they had enough pitching.

It started with the season-ending injury to Gerrit Cole, and things hardly got better for long stretches.

This season, though, the Yanks appear to have left that problem in the past.

These Yankees have a ton of pitching. MLB.com wrote in a new article: "These Yankees are pitching rich."

Clearly, things can change quickly, because arm injuries to starting pitchers are simply part of the game. But if the Yankees can avoid major damage early, they've got awesome depth on the mound, a welcome change from last season.

"There was a lot of early talk about how the Yankees were 'running it back,' and that’s largely true -- most of the faces are familiar," MLB.com wrote in a non-bylined article. "But this spring underlined the group’s potential pitching upside, helmed by Max Fried and set to receive a full year of Cam Schlittler, with reinforcements like Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodón on the way. Ryan Weathers is a project, but Will Warren had a strong spring. No one may have generated more attention than Carlos Lagrange, whose triple-digit heat has the righty banging on the big league door. Elmer Rodriguez and Ben Hess could also see time in the Bronx this year."

MORE: Big Papi's son has a special moment for the Red Sox

Cole isn't quite ready for Opening Day, but he should be back in the majors soon. Schlittler spent most of last season in the minors. Weathers came over in an offseason trade. 

The depth in the minors, mentioned above with the likes of Lagrange, Rodriguez and Hess, is also much improved from a season ago.

These Yankees still probably could've benefited from another big-name offseason addition. But even as is, they're in better shape than they were a year ago, knock on wood.

More MLB news:

• The contract reason Pirates are keeping Konnor Griffin in the minor leagues
• Juan Soto might lead MLB in a brand new stat
• Chase DeLauter's time has arrived for the Cleveland Guardians
• The Mariners' Colt Emerson plan is taking shape
• Do the Red Sox have a Garrett Crochet problem?
• Braves make big roster decision with 20-year old pitching phenom