Schlittler to start Yankees' Wild Card Series opener vs. Red Sox, followed by Fried and Cole

NEW YORK (AP) —

Cam Schlittler will start Game 1 of the New York Yankees’ Wild Card Series against the Boston Red Sox on Tuesday night and be followed in the rotation by Max Fried and Gerrit Cole in the best-of-three matchup.

New York made the announcement Sunday, the last day of the regular season.

Schlittler struck out 12 over eight innings in the Yankees’ 4-0 win over the Red Sox in Game 3 of last year’s Wild Card Series. He allowed five hits, all singles, and walked none. Schlittler threw 11 pitches 100 mph or faster, including six in the first inning.

“He’s excited,” manager Aaron Boone said after the regular-season finale against Baltimore was canceled because of rain. “He wants the ball and he’s ready to go.”

Schlittler was 14-6 with an AL-best 1.95 ERA and 239 strikeouts this year, the first full season for the 25-year-old right-hander. Schlittler also allowed one earned run or fewer in his final nine starts, matching Whitey Ford in 1963 for the longest streak in Yankees history.

A native of Walpole Massachusetts, Schlittler went 2-1 with an 0.74 ERA in four starts against Boston this year. He struck out 27 in 24 1/3 innings and held hitters to a .174 average.

New York starters finished with a 3.30 ERA despite Fried being limited to 20 starts because of two injured list stints with a bruised left elbow. Cole returned from missing last season with elbow surgery and was 10-9 with a 3.61 ERA in 22 starts.

“There’s just working through the do we want him in a Game 2 scenario with a chance to move on and slam the door or if your back’s against the wall, kind of flushing that out a little bit,” Boone said. “Just all things I was considering."

Carlos Rodón will be in the bullpen for the Wild Card Series after going 7-3 with a 2.67 ERA in 16 starts. Rodón made his first start for the season on May 10 after recovering from left elbow surgery and was sidelined between June 28 and Aug. 18 by left elbow inflammation.

“It’s clearly our greatest strength this year and we haven’t had it all together at different times obviously, but I do feel like all four of those guys are throwing the ball incredibly well right now at the right time,” Boone said.

If the Yankees advance to a best-of-five AL Division Series against Tampa Bay, Schlittler would be lined up to start Game 2 and, if necessary, Game 5.

See AP’s full MLB coverage here

New York Yankees pitcher Cam Schlittler throws during the second inning of a baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays, Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

New York Yankees pitcher Cam Schlittler throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays, Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

New York Yankees Cam Schlittler prepares to throw during the second inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Angelina Katsanis)

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — De'Von Achane is hurt, and the Miami Dolphins are bracing for bad news.

Achane — the Dolphins' most important offensive player — suffered a knee injury in the first quarter of Miami's 24-10 loss to Kansas City on Sunday. The Dolphins were unsure on the severity after the game, though coach Jeff Hafley sounded grim based on preliminary testing.

“Still gathering information and hopefully I’ll have more for you tomorrow,” Hafley said after the game. “To be very honest with you, it does not sound optimistic at this moment. But I can’t give you any other details until I have them.”

Hafley wouldn't speculate on what Achane missing any time might mean going forward.

Achane — who agreed to a four-year, $64 million extension earlier this year with $32 million guaranteed — is generally considered to be a huge part of the Dolphins’ plans in their current rebuilding phase. He’s seventh on the team’s all-time rushing list despite playing only 47 games and led the NFL with an average of 5.7 yards per carry last season.

Achane was either the ballcarrier or intended receiver on four of Miami’s first five plays Sunday before getting hurt. He suffered the injury on what was an 11-yard run to the left side.

Achane got up quickly after the tackle on the play where he got injured, then simply stood still while flanked by a couple of teammates. He eventually walked to the Miami sideline under his own power, albeit slowly and appearing to favor his left leg before going into the team’s injury tent.

He was further checked in the locker room, then was ruled out. Achane returned to the sideline in the second half, standing with teammates.

Ollie Gordon replaced Achane and had a career-high 14 carries by the midpoint of the third quarter, before he also had to leave the game because of what the Dolphins said was a cramping issue. Gordon was the only other running back the Dolphins had on their active roster Sunday.

Wide receiver Malik Washington had a carry in the fourth quarter before Gordon returned to the game.

“You've just always got to have that next-man-up mentality and be ready to go,” Gordon said.

Achane rushed for a career-high 1,350 yards on 238 carries in 2025. He had eight rushing touchdowns and four receiving scores a year ago and ranked fourth among running backs with 488 yards receiving.

See AP’s full NFL coverage here

Miami Dolphins running back De'von Achane runs the ball during an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, in Miami Gardens. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)