New York Yankees right-hander Allan Winans is set to make his 2025 Major League Baseball debut on Monday night, taking the mound against the Cincinnati Reds. This opportunity arises as the Yankees navigate a shifting pitching landscape, with veteran lefty Ryan Yarbrough recently placed on the 15-day injured list due to a strained right oblique, as reported by NorthJersey.com.
The 29-year-old Winans brings a unique journey to the Yankees’ rotation. He was initially drafted by the New York Mets in the 17th round of the 2018 MLB First Year Player Draft out of Campbell University in Buies Creek, North Carolina. That same university has also produced notable MLB players like Los Angeles Angels shortstop Zach Neto and Baltimore Orioles outfielder Cedric Mullins. After reaching Class AA Binghamton within the Mets’ organization in 2021, Winans was acquired by the Atlanta Braves in December of that same year, marking a new chapter in his professional career.
Winans’ time with the Braves saw him make eight career starts across the 2023 and 2024 seasons, posting a 7.20 ERA. Despite the high ERA, he delivered a memorable performance on August 12, 2023, against his former team, the Mets, at Citi Field. In that outing, he tossed seven shutout innings, allowing just four hits and striking out nine batters, securing his first and, to date, only MLB win. His last big-league appearance came on July 24, 2024, when he faced the Cincinnati Reds in Atlanta, an outing where he was knocked out in the third inning.
His path to the Yankees’ big-league roster in 2025 began with an invitation to big-league spring training camp in February. At the time, Winans was considered a contender for a rotation spot, particularly given the injuries to key pitchers like Gerrit Cole (elbow surgery) and Luis Gil (lat strain). While veteran Carlos Carrasco emerged as the No. 5 starter out of camp, and Ryan Yarbrough and Will Warren subsequently claimed rotation spots, Winans’ consistent performance in the minor leagues kept him on the Yankees’ radar.
Indeed, Winans has been exceptional at Class AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre this season. Yankees manager Aaron Boone described his performance as “tremendous,” highlighting his impressive 0.90 ERA over 11 games, including nine starts. In 50 innings pitched, he has recorded 59 strikeouts and maintained a solid 1.040 WHIP. Winans is not known as an overpowering pitcher; instead, he relies on a diverse repertoire of pitches, including changeups, sinkers, and sliders, complemented by an occasional four-seam fastball that typically registers around 90 mph, according to MLB Statcast.
Winans’ call-up comes at a crucial time for the Yankees, who are looking to maintain their strong start to the season while managing their pitching depth. The team is also anticipating the return of Marcus Stroman, who has been recovering from a left knee strain. According to Boone, Stroman could soon “be in the mix” as a rotation option. He is currently building up his pitch count, aiming for the 70-pitch range, and is scheduled to make another minor league rehab start on Tuesday.
For Allan Winans, Monday night’s start represents a significant opportunity to demonstrate his capabilities at the highest level, building on his strong minor league success and providing a much-needed arm for the Yankees’ pitching staff as they navigate the demanding MLB season.
