The Yankees aren’t re-establishing their Japan pipeline.
The Bronx Bombers’ connection to Japanese starter Tatsuya Imai “does not exist,” YES Network’s Jack Curry said Tuesday night on a hot stove show.
There had been recent reports linking the Yankees to Imai, especially with the early-season pitching need due to recovery timelines for several rotation members.
However, Curry noted that the Yankees could be comfortable to go with recent re-signing Ryan Yarbrough as their No. 5 starter to open the season.
Imai is one of the top starters remaining in free agency and rumors have connected the Yankees to him more than any other starter.
Tatsuya Imai in 2023. Getty Images
Though the Yankees wouldn’t need a starter if their starters were healthy, they are going to be down three starters at the beginning of the 2026 season.
Ace Gerrit Cole is working his way back from Tommy John surgery and he previously said Opening Day (March 25) is likely not in the cards, veteran lefty Carlos Rodon could be sidelined until late April or May after undergoing an elbow scope in October and righty Clarke Schmidt could miss most of if not all of the 2026 campaign after undergoing Tommy John surgery last July 11.
The Yankees have Max Fried, Cam Schlittler, Luis Gil and Will Warren projected for rotation spots, and some wondered if they would pursue another pricey starter to secure a sturdy reinforcement at the beginning of the season with the end-game goal of having an incredibly deep rotation.
The Bronx Bombers had success in the Japanese market with Masahiro Tanaka and Hideki Matsui, and Imai represents a chance to reignite that connection since the fireballer has said he won’t be signing with the Dodgers like Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Roki Sasaki in recent years.
Should the Yankees ultimately pass on Imai and any other high-priced free agent, they will be left with turning to Yarbrough or perhaps finding a better match via trade.
Yarbrough, a 33-year-old lefty, is a perfectly fine No. 5 starter but lacks upside and does not pitch deep into games.
Ryan Yarbrough may open the season in the Yankees’ rotation. Robert Sabo for NY Post
He went 3-1 with a 3.83 ERA in eight starts last year, but tallied a 5.25 ERA as a reliever. He totaled a 4.36 ERA across 64 innings.
One advantage of having a pitcher of his ilk in that role is he can easily slide to the bullpen.
The Yankees’ offseason has been very quiet thus far and it seems their direction is hinging on whether Cody Bellinger re-ups in The Bronx or leaves.