Yankees Send Rule 5 Pick Cade Winquest Back to Cardinals

The New York Yankees have returned Rule 5 draft pick Cade Winquest to the St. Louis Cardinals after he cleared waivers. The 26-year-old right-hander was designated for assignment earlier this month and will now report to Triple-A Memphis. Winquest does not take a spot on the Cardinals’ 40-man roster but continues to be under their control.

Winquest was selected by the Yankees in the 2023 Rule 5 draft, a move that was notable given the team’s limited history of making selections in that process. The right-hander did not make a significant impact during spring training, posting an 8.10 ERA across 10 innings in Grapefruit League play. He allowed 13 hits, four walks, and struck out eight batters.

At the start of the regular season, the Yankees had roster flexibility and opted to keep a four-man rotation. This allowed Winquest to hold a spot on the active roster for a short time. However, the team soon recalled Luis Gil to the rotation, leaving Winquest without a role. He was then designated for assignment on April 5.

Under Rule 5 draft rules, any team claiming Winquest would have been required to keep him on the active roster for the entire season. Since he cleared waivers, the Cardinals had the right to reacquire him without offering a roster spot. This move allows the Yankees to clear a 40-man roster spot while allowing St. Louis to continue developing Winquest in the minors.

Winquest spent last season between High-A and Double-A, posting a 3.99 ERA across 106 innings. He recorded a 23.9% strikeout rate, 8.5% walk rate, and induced ground balls at a 48% clip. While he didn’t debut in the majors, he did earn big league pay and service time for a few weeks.

The move does not impact the Yankees’ rotation or immediate plans. Luis Gil remains with the team, and the Yankees continue to monitor their pitching depth. For the Cardinals, Winquest returns to a system where he can continue to develop with a full season ahead in Triple-A Memphis.

The Yankees are expected to make additional roster moves as the season progresses, with more depth needed in the bullpen and rotation. Winquest’s return to St. Louis concludes a brief and unusual chapter in his MLB journey.