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This isn’t exactly a surprise, but the Yankees expect Carlos Lagrange to be physically acclimated to life as a reliever prior to the Aug. 3 trade deadline.
“He would be equipped to do that before the deadline,” Yankees pitching coach Matt Blake told the Daily News when asked if he expects Lagrange to be promoted by then. “As far as his progression to being a major league reliever in terms of workload and usage, he would be available before the deadline. It’s just a matter of what our comfort level is, what it looks like in the pen, all that.”
Lagrange, a prized pitching prospect who the Yankees believe can be a starter long-term, moved to the bullpen at Triple-A on June 3. That began a process in which the flamethrowing right-hander gradually adjusted from the workload and usage frequency of a starter to that of a reliever.
Lagrange’s first relief appearance on June 3, a four-inning, 62-pitch outing, resembled piggyback work after the RailRiders used an opener. His next game didn’t come until June 9, when he threw 46 pitches over 2.2 innings. That night was the first time he entered a game in the middle of an inning.
The 22-year-old threw three innings and 41 pitches on June 14, followed by 1.2 innings and 32 pitches on June 18. He just logged his first one-inning relief appearance, a scoreless frame that required 22 pitches, on June 21.
“It’s the opposite of a ramp-up for a starter,” said Peter Larson, the RailRiders’ bullpen coach. “It’s not so much the innings or the pitches. It’s the new routine of what between outings looks like.”
Being a reliever means Lagrange’s arm and body have to bounce back faster, which has called for adjustments to his weight room, training and throwing routines. So far, “he’s responding really well,” Larson said.
Lagrange has also had solid results over a small sample since moving to the pen, recording a 2.19 ERA, six walks and 17 strikeouts over 12.1 innings. His strikeout rate has increased from 29% as a starter to 34% as a reliever.
While Lagrange’s walk rate is roughly the same — 11.5% as a starter vs. 12% as a reliever — Larson said the fireballer, still using his full arsenal, has been throwing more first-pitch strikes and total strikes since taking on his new role.
“It seems like he’s been solid so far. He’s throwing a lot of strikes,” Blake agreed. “The stuff’s been what we expect, but he seems like he’s taken to it so far. Now it’s just shortening it up and getting him used to quicker turnarounds.”
Lagrange will “probably” pitch again on Wednesday, Larson said. If not, then Thursday. From there, the farmhand will be treated like a “normal reliever” and will learn how to be ready at all times, Larson said, adding that Lagrange will get back to throwing more than one inning at a time.
Blake and Larson said that Lagrange could get into back-to-back games before possibly being promoted to the majors, but that is not a sure thing. The Yankees are still “probably a few weeks or a few more outings away from even having that discussion,” Larson said.
Either way, it would be ideal for the Yankees to get Lagrange in the majors with time to spare before the trade deadline, as how he potentially performs in their big league bullpen could influence how many external relievers they need to bring in.
While closer David Bednar, Fernando Cruz and Brent Headrick have been sharp at the top of the Yankees’ bullpen depth chart, the club has a few relievers who haven’t been trustworthy in high-leverage situations, as well as a few spots that could easily be upgraded. There are some internal ways to do that besides Lagrange, as Yovanny Cruz, another RailRider with triple-digit heat; starter Ryan Weathers, who has bullpen experience and has already surpassed his 2025 innings count; and Clarke Schmidt, a starter recovering from Tommy John surgery, could all become options down the road.
But there’s no guarantees there, nor is there any immediacy with the two starters, which is why the Yankees are still expected to pursue outside bullpen help before the deadline. An effective Lagrange could mitigate just how many new arms they need, though.
Like Blake, Larson agrees that Lagrange will be physically ready in time for an audition. He also said that the youngster will “absolutely” be ready mentally.
Like the Yankees’ big league coaches in spring training, Larson has been impressed with Lagrange’s work ethic, as well has his embrace of the challenge in front of him. He noted that Lagrange has been seeking the advice of the RailRiders’ veteran relievers – the team has a few with MLB experience – and that he won’t be bothered by the bright lights of the Bronx if and when that call comes.
“He doesn’t waver at all,” Larson said. “He’s super competitive. He just wants to pitch. He wants to win, and he wants nothing more than to help the big league team if that opportunity were ever to come up.”
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“He would be equipped to do that before the deadline,” Yankees pitching coach Matt Blake told the Daily News when asked if he expects Lagrange to be promoted by then. “As far as his progression to being a major league reliever in terms of workload and usage, he would be available before the deadline. It’s just a matter of what our comfort level is, what it looks like in the pen, all that.”
Lagrange, a prized pitching prospect who the Yankees believe can be a starter long-term, moved to the bullpen at Triple-A on June 3. That began a process in which the flamethrowing right-hander gradually adjusted from the workload and usage frequency of a starter to that of a reliever.
Lagrange’s first relief appearance on June 3, a four-inning, 62-pitch outing, resembled piggyback work after the RailRiders used an opener. His next game didn’t come until June 9, when he threw 46 pitches over 2.2 innings. That night was the first time he entered a game in the middle of an inning.
The 22-year-old threw three innings and 41 pitches on June 14, followed by 1.2 innings and 32 pitches on June 18. He just logged his first one-inning relief appearance, a scoreless frame that required 22 pitches, on June 21.
“It’s the opposite of a ramp-up for a starter,” said Peter Larson, the RailRiders’ bullpen coach. “It’s not so much the innings or the pitches. It’s the new routine of what between outings looks like.”
Being a reliever means Lagrange’s arm and body have to bounce back faster, which has called for adjustments to his weight room, training and throwing routines. So far, “he’s responding really well,” Larson said.
Lagrange has also had solid results over a small sample since moving to the pen, recording a 2.19 ERA, six walks and 17 strikeouts over 12.1 innings. His strikeout rate has increased from 29% as a starter to 34% as a reliever.
While Lagrange’s walk rate is roughly the same — 11.5% as a starter vs. 12% as a reliever — Larson said the fireballer, still using his full arsenal, has been throwing more first-pitch strikes and total strikes since taking on his new role.
“It seems like he’s been solid so far. He’s throwing a lot of strikes,” Blake agreed. “The stuff’s been what we expect, but he seems like he’s taken to it so far. Now it’s just shortening it up and getting him used to quicker turnarounds.”
Lagrange will “probably” pitch again on Wednesday, Larson said. If not, then Thursday. From there, the farmhand will be treated like a “normal reliever” and will learn how to be ready at all times, Larson said, adding that Lagrange will get back to throwing more than one inning at a time.
Blake and Larson said that Lagrange could get into back-to-back games before possibly being promoted to the majors, but that is not a sure thing. The Yankees are still “probably a few weeks or a few more outings away from even having that discussion,” Larson said.
Either way, it would be ideal for the Yankees to get Lagrange in the majors with time to spare before the trade deadline, as how he potentially performs in their big league bullpen could influence how many external relievers they need to bring in.
While closer David Bednar, Fernando Cruz and Brent Headrick have been sharp at the top of the Yankees’ bullpen depth chart, the club has a few relievers who haven’t been trustworthy in high-leverage situations, as well as a few spots that could easily be upgraded. There are some internal ways to do that besides Lagrange, as Yovanny Cruz, another RailRider with triple-digit heat; starter Ryan Weathers, who has bullpen experience and has already surpassed his 2025 innings count; and Clarke Schmidt, a starter recovering from Tommy John surgery, could all become options down the road.
But there’s no guarantees there, nor is there any immediacy with the two starters, which is why the Yankees are still expected to pursue outside bullpen help before the deadline. An effective Lagrange could mitigate just how many new arms they need, though.
Like Blake, Larson agrees that Lagrange will be physically ready in time for an audition. He also said that the youngster will “absolutely” be ready mentally.
Like the Yankees’ big league coaches in spring training, Larson has been impressed with Lagrange’s work ethic, as well has his embrace of the challenge in front of him. He noted that Lagrange has been seeking the advice of the RailRiders’ veteran relievers – the team has a few with MLB experience – and that he won’t be bothered by the bright lights of the Bronx if and when that call comes.
“He doesn’t waver at all,” Larson said. “He’s super competitive. He just wants to pitch. He wants to win, and he wants nothing more than to help the big league team if that opportunity were ever to come up.”
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