DUNEDIN, Fla. — In Tuesday’s spring training opener at TD Ballpark, Will Warren took the mound for the Yankees with an unexpected twist, positioning himself on the third base side of the pitching rubber. This move marks a shift from the first base side stance he has used since being drafted in 2021. The change comes after collaborative discussions with the Yankees’ pitching coaching staff during spring workouts.
Warren’s adjustment reflects a return to his college roots, as he had pitched from the third base side during his time at Southeastern Louisiana University. Though still adapting to the new angle, Warren feels the adjustment could improve his pitching effectiveness early in his outing.
Details Behind Warren’s New Mound Positioning
Warren explained the motivation behind shifting across the mound, emphasizing the benefits of the altered attack angle.
“I think it’s a healthy attack angle,”
he said.
“It’s a little sharper. Righties, it kind of feels like I’m coming at them. Lefties might feel like the ball is just way out there, especially like a backdoor sweeper, backdoor curveball, and then just making it super sharp going into them.”
Though the difference between the two sides of the mound may seem subtle, it actually spans approximately 17 inches. Warren acknowledged this distance can disrupt his pitching lines slightly, and he is working to maintain sharpness in his mechanics to gain an edge on hitters.
“It doesn’t feel like it’s that big, but you move all the way across, it’s 17 inches or something like that,”
he stated.
“It’ll mess your lines up a little bit. So I’m just making sure those are sharp, that way I can get ahead and have success.”
Encouraging Performance in First Grappling with Adjustment
Warren’s debut utilizing the new mound position produced promising results against the Toronto Blue Jays in their first encounter since last October’s ALDS. Over 2.2 innings, Warren allowed just one earned run on four hits, issuing no walks and recording four strikeouts on a total of 49 pitches. The lone run scored by Toronto came off Jesús Sánchez, who singled in the first inning.
Warren hopes that this adjustment and a renewed approach will enhance his ability to handle left-handed hitters, a group that challenged him last season with a .786 OPS compared to .680 from right-handers.
“Throwing the kitchen sink at them”
by leveraging his complete arsenal remains his strategy, with particular focus on getting ahead in counts to improve outcomes against lefties in 2026.
Context on Warren’s Recent Career and Goals
At 26 years old, Will Warren is coming off the first full season of his major league career. In 2025, he reached career highs in both workload and experience, making 33 starts and pitching 162.1 innings. He posted a 4.44 ERA, a figure influenced by several difficult outings. The Yankees and Warren appear ready to build on that foundation with this mound adjustment and a renewed focus on pitching strategy.
Paul Goldschmidt’s Impact and Role in Early Games
In Tuesday’s game, backup first baseman Paul Goldschmidt made a notable impact, hitting a two-run home run off Toronto reliever Tyler Rogers in the third inning. Goldschmidt, primarily a right-handed hitter, also connected with a two-run double off Jesse Hahn during the fifth inning. Though not expected to face right-handed pitchers extensively this season, Goldschmidt enjoyed success against them during the game, highlighting his value in reserve roles.
Reflecting on his contributions, Goldschmidt said,
“Whoever’s on the mound, it always feels good to get hits and hit the ball hard, especially that homer.”
Last year, Goldschmidt showcased a strong .981 OPS against left-handed pitching but saw a decline in effectiveness as the season progressed. The Yankees plan for primary first baseman and occasional catcher Ben Rice, a left-handed hitter, to increase his matchups against southpaws in 2026.
Upcoming Pitching Plans for the Yankees
Manager Aaron Boone revealed that Max Fried is scheduled to throw live batting practice on Wednesday. Fried’s next appearance against hitters in a game setting is expected to take place during an upcoming spring training contest, which will mark his first exposure to live opposition in this exhibition season.
Significance of Warren’s Adjustment and What Lies Ahead
The Yankees’ willingness to support Will Warren’s mound-side experimentation illustrates a broader commitment to optimizing pitching strategies during spring training. While the change is still fresh and requires further refinement, Warren’s performance suggests it could help him regain confidence and sharpen his command. Facing challenges from left-handed hitters remains a critical focus for him as the season approaches.
With Warren looking to improve upon a solid but unspectacular rookie campaign, this mechanical tweak and the collaborative coaching effort could pay dividends. For the Yankees, fine-tuning emerging starters like Warren remains essential to their pitching depth and competitiveness going forward into the 2026 season.
