Will Warren Contributes in Relief as Yankees Prepare for Playoffs

Will Warren made his final regular-season appearance out of the bullpen on Friday, delivering 3 ¹/₃ scoreless innings in the Yankees’ 6-3 win over the Orioles, helping to split the doubleheader. This performance comes as the Yankees prepare for the AL Wild Card Series. Warren recorded seven of his 11 outs via strikeouts, achieving 13 whiffs on 28 swings, showcasing his potential value in the Yankees bullpen. Manager Aaron Boone noted, "He can be big for us moving forward in the postseason, and in different roles." The Yankees have established pitchers Brent Headrick and Paul Blackburn to support closer David Bednar, but additional help from Warren could be beneficial, especially as his performance has improved in recent weeks. Warren concluded the season with a 3.92 ERA and expressed readiness for postseason responsibilities. The Yankees limited Warren to 54 pitches in this outing to ensure his availability for Game 1 against the Red Sox. The Yankees (93-68) lost the first game of the doubleheader 10-2 but rebounded in the second game, with notable contributions from Anthony Volpe, Ben Rice, and Ryan McMahon. The Orioles (79-82) featured former Met Pete Alonso, who hit two home runs in Game 1, including a 471-foot shot. The Yankees experienced defensive challenges in both games, with errors from Spencer Jones and Heliot Ramos.