After first spring start, how Cam Schlittler fits in Yankees rotation

TAMPA, Fla. – This was opening night for Cam Schlittler, and he might just be ready by the season’s opening weekend.

Delayed earlier in Yankees’ camp by mid back inflammation, the right-hander looked sharp in Friday night’s Grapefruit League debut start – a 39-pitch effort at Steinbrenner Field.

“We talked it out, we’ve got a plan laid out, so I’m very confident that I’m going to be good to go that (first) weekend,’’ Schlittler said after a 3-0 win against Tampa Bay.

In an encouraging exhibition start, Schlittler tossed 2.1 scoreless innings, yielded two hits (one on the infield) walked one and had four strikeouts against a Rays’ lineup lacking any bold-faced names.

“Able to go out there confidently and felt good,’’ said Schlittler, who continued throwing off flat ground during his 10-day break from the mound, maintaining his arm strength.

Schlittler’s velocity on Friday was “kind of where I was at in my first four live (batting practice sessions) before the flareup,’’ including an uptick with the cutter – routinely in the 94-mph-96-mph range.

The cutter produced two swing-and-miss strikeouts, and Schlittler’s fastball touched 99-mph.

Mar 6, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; New York Yankees starting pitcher Cam Schlittler (31) throws a pitch during the first inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

Now, the Yankees don’t necessarily need a No. 5 starter out of the gate, with three scheduled off-days in the first week-plus of the regular season.

Aaron Boone hasn’t ruled out including Schlittler in the Yankees’ opening rotation plans, saying that he’d take 70 pitches from the 25-year-old who quickly became a rotation staple in 2025.

“(I’m) not going to be at 90 pitches’’ by the season’s opening weekend, said Schlittler, “but hopefully, I can get around that 70 mark.’’

Schlittler’s midyear arrival from Triple-A was “a little bit of an acquisition for us,’’ said Boone, who watched him post a 2.96 ERA in 14 starts, then carry the Yankees into the Division Series with a sensational Wild Card Series-clinching performance against the Boston Red Sox.

Based on how Schlittler looked last year in spring training, Boone felt he was “trending to be a real part of this’’ rotation. “And then obviously he confirmed that.’’

Oswaldo Cabrera’s debut, too Mar 6, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; New York Yankees infielder Oswaldo Cabrera (95) is congratulated after scoring a run during the second inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

Mar 6, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; New York Yankees infielder Oswaldo Cabrera (95) is congratulated after scoring a run during the second inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

Earlier on Friday, Boone yelled across the home clubhouse, “It’s Oswaldo Cabrera day!’’ and everyone knew the significance.

For the first time since his gruesome, left ankle fracture last May 12 during a game at Seattle, Cabrera was on the field against big-league competition Friday night.

“Felt amazing to be back on the field,’’ said the ever-positive Cabrera, who walked and scored during his one plate appearance and played three innings at shortstop.

It’s too early to tell if Cabrera will be deemed ready to join the active roster by Opening Day, March 25 at San Francisco, but he’s trending in the right direction.

Cabrera even “lobbied to go’’ on the Yankees’ weekend trip across the state, but Boone won’t play him again until Monday night’s exhibition game at Steinbrenner Field; Cabrera will likely start somewhere on the infield Monday, but he’s also been taking flyballs in the outfield.

As he walked to the plate Friday, Cabrera received a long, loud ovation which he deeply appreciated.

As for his teammates, “I think they were more happy than me,’’ Cabrera said of his first game in nearly 10 months. “Everyone out there felt like it was my MLB debut,’’ including the coaches and staff.

“I’m so glad to be on this team with this beautiful family.’’

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