In a season defined by unexpected turns and relentless pressure, the New York Yankees have once again found themselves at the center of the baseball world’s attention. The recent decision to designate veteran pitcher Carlos Carrasco for assignment sent ripples through the Bronx and beyond, raising questions about the team’s pitching depth and future direction.

While the move was widely regarded as necessary given Carrasco’s struggles on the mound, it also underscored the difficult choices facing a team desperate to maintain its competitive edge. Yet, in a twist that few could have predicted, manager Aaron Boone’s postgame remarks hinted that Carrasco’s Yankees journey might not be over just yet.

As speculation swirls and fans brace for the next chapter, the Yankees’ handling of Carrasco’s situation offers a revealing glimpse into the high-stakes balancing act of roster management in Major League Baseball. With the team’s rotation in flux and new faces emerging, all eyes remain fixed on the Bronx, where every decision could shape the trajectory of a season teetering between hope and uncertainty.

Tampa Bay Rays v New York Yankees Tampa Bay Rays v New York Yankees | New York Yankees/GettyImages

The New York Yankees ended Carlos Carrasco’s tenure in the Bronx on Tuesday afternoon, delivering a very necessary DFA to the 38-year-old who tried his best to harness his receding stuff, but often struggled to bedevil big-league hitters. Then, almost immediately after the move was finalized, manager Aaron Boone opened the door for a return engagement.

DFA’ing Carrasco was a necessary, if uncomfortable, step. The Yankees can’t exactly afford to sacrifice pitching depth at the moment, but after Ryan Yarbrough handled his last-second spot start (which may or may not have a conspiracy attached to it) and Carrasco was shuttled to middle relief in Sunday’s bleak finale, it was clear that his fate had been sealed.

Nobody wants to drop viable arms, especially not a team struggling to stay afloat like the Yankees. Carrasco … may not have been viable, though, and certainly falls behind Yarbrough and Allan Winans on the Should Be Getting Starts Chart.

The Yankees’ desperation doesn’t justify Carrasco remaining in the five-man rotation. But, as long as he clears waivers, it does probably justify extending a life raft to him. Aaron Boone’s post-DFA comments made it clear that the Yankees will consider bringing Cookie back into the fold if nobody else claims him.

New York Yankees considering reunion with Carlos Carrasco after he (probably) clears waivers

The Yankees haven’t lost DFA’d players much lately. Yoendrys Gómez went to the Dodgers briefly, but is now back on the market after reverting to his FIP. Adam Ottavino, essentially on retainer, just drops by the SNY set every so often to shoot the breeze about Devin Williams. Keeping Carrasco simmering at Triple-A, while also giving higher-upside 40-man options a chance to soak up innings in the meantime, would represent the best of both worlds, even though reactionary Yankee fans probably don’t want to give the righty the time of day ever again.

Imagine the tweets. Imagine the tweets if Carrasco fake comes back.

The Yankees have yet to announce their rotation for the Sacramento (what) series, otherwise known as their first three-game set without Carrasco penciled in. Expect Yarbrough to get another crack at things before the Yankees elevate a new face — and hey, Yerry de Los Santos looked pretty great in that final bullpen role, recording four outs in the top of the ninth on Tuesday thanks to Oswald Peraza’s two-out bungle. Things might be looking up after all, even if Carrasco works his way back into the pipeline.