Will Warren caps durable rookie season with ninth win as Yankees top Orioles 8-4

Will Warren capped a durable rookie season by earning his ninth win as the Yankees defeated the Orioles 8-4, closing out a 33-start campaign. He allowed four runs on two home runs over more than five innings while striking out seven and finishing the year with a 4.44 ERA and 171 strikeouts in 162 1/3 innings.

Warren emerged as a steady, durable option for a Yankees rotation that relied on a trio of rookies to anchor the staff at times. His 33 starts marked a milestone for a Yankee rookie, and he became the third Yankee rookie to reach that many starts in a season, while being the only rookie in the majors to do so in the last 17 years—an achievement Boone called remarkable given the ups and downs of a long season.

Boone lauded Warren’s durability and consistency, noting that the young pitcher ate innings and gave the team a chance to win in most outings. The manager also highlighted the milestone of a rookie-heavy rotation reaching deep into the year, underscoring Warren’s role as a staple while newer arms developed behind him.

Part of the reason Warren might be nudged from the rotation in the postseason is the rise of Cam Schlittler, who is set to make a final regular-season start and could step into a playoff role as the third starter if needed. Boone said Schlittler has shown a strong mentality, confidence and accountability—traits that give the Yankees confidence in moving him into high-leverage spots down the stretch.

Camilo Doval struck out the side in the eighth inning, part of a bullpen that has not allowed a run over its last 19 2/3 innings. That late-inning depth has been a key factor as the Yankees balanced the needs of a rookie-heavy rotation with relief help that can preserve a lead or keep a game within reach.

Stanton’s early-season power provided a tangible milestone, as his home run in the bottom of the first inning broke the Yankees’ own single-season record for home runs by a team in the first inning, reaching 48 on the year and surpassing the mark set by the 2023 Braves. Meanwhile, Aaron Judge finished the season with the second-most popular jersey among MLB players, trailing only Shohei Ohtani, underscoring the star power surrounding the lineup.

With the regular season complete, Warren’s postseason role remains undecided, though a bullpen-first approach appears more likely than a strict rotation slot. Warren has indicated a willingness to do whatever helps the team win, and the Yankees are weighing how to align their staff for October, including how Schlittler and other young arms fit into the plan.

Looking back at the season, Warren’s rookie year stood out for durability and consistency. Boone noted that 33 starts and about 160 innings marked a notable achievement for a rookie, especially one who navigated the inevitable bumps that come with transitioning to a top-tier major league rotation. With the bullpen surging and the offense providing early support, the Yankees closed a campaign that featured several notable milestones while setting the stage for a postseason push.