Yankees loses Rule 5 pick to Cardinals before MLB debut

The New York Yankees have parted ways with right-hander Cade Winquest before he could make his major league debut, returning the Rule 5 selection to the St. Louis Cardinals, according to announcements from both clubs on Monday. The move came three days after Winquest was designated for assignment, and it followed his clearance through waivers.

Winquest, who turns 26 later this month, was selected by New York in the Rule 5 Draft during December’s winter meetings at a cost of $100,000. As per Rule 5 regulations, players must remain on the active MLB roster all season or be exposed to waivers and potentially returned to their original organization. After going unclaimed, St. Louis reacquired him for $50,000 and assigned him to Triple-A Memphis without adding him to their 40-man roster.

Despite making New York’s Opening Day roster, becoming the franchise’s first Rule 5 pick to do so since 2007, Winquest did not appear in a regular-season game. He remained on the roster due to early scheduling flexibility, as New York opened the season with a four-man rotation and optioned Luis Gil to the minors. However, once Gil was recalled, Winquest lost his roster spot.

His spring performance did not strengthen his case. Across nine appearances in Grapefruit League play, he finished with a 0-1 record with a 7.20 ERA. Over 10 innings, he allowed eight earned runs on 13 hits, along with four walks and one hit batter, while striking out eight.

Winquest’s selection itself was salient, as the Yankees rarely utilize the Rule 5 Draft and had not made such a pick in over a decade. The right-hander had demonstrated potential in 2025, compiling a 3.99 ERA, a 23.9% strikeout rate, an 8.5% walk rate, and a 48% ground-ball rate in 106 innings at High-A and Double-A. He will now continue his development in the Cardinals’ system, still seeking his first MLB opportunity.

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