Yankees Yanked Winquest Before He Ever Threw a Pitch in a Real Game

The Yankees' Rule 5 gamble lasted about as long as a rain delay. Cade Winquest's New York career is over before it really started, as the team designated the right-hander for assignment Friday to clear roster space for Luis Gil, who got called up from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and is set to start against the Tampa Bay Rays.

From Opening Day Roster to the Waiver Wire

This is what happens when a Rule 5 pick doesn't pan out. Winquest, 25, came over from St. Louis during the Rule 5 draft back in December's winter meetings and actually made the opening day roster. That's notable. The Yankees hadn't had a Rule 5 player stick on opening day since Josh Phelps way back in 2007. But here's the thing: Winquest never got into a single regular season game. Not one.

The right-hander went 0-1 with a 7.20 ERA over nine outings this spring, and apparently that was enough for New York to pull the plug. So now he's on waivers, and the clock is ticking on whether anyone else wants him.

What Happens Next

Here's how this plays out. If nobody claims Winquest off waivers, the Yankees are required to offer him back to St. Louis for $50,000. The Cardinals have the first right to reclaim him since they originally drafted him in the eighth round back in 2022 out of the University of Texas at Arlington. If St. Louis passes on buying him back and he clears waivers clean, the Yankees can assign him outright to the minors.

Winquest spent 2023-25 in the Cardinals' farm system before getting selected in December. It's a quick exit from the Bronx, but that's the Rule 5 deal sometimes. You get your shot at the big league roster, you don't perform, and you're gone.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.