What to watch at Yanks camp this spring? Captain goes Classic

TAMPA, Fla. -- The sounds of baseball are back, with a group of early-arriving Yankees already shaking off the winter chill at the club’s player development complex.

Visitors will notice a refreshed sign at the intersection of Himes Avenue and West Columbus Drive, listing the club’s World Series championships. The paint is new; the information is not -- still 27.

It’s up to this group to change that. Here are five storylines to watch throughout camp:

1) Captain America and the World Baseball Classic
Aaron Judge said he expects “a pretty humbling experience” when he carries the stars and stripes as Team USA’s captain in the upcoming WBC, having been named to the squad last April by manager Mark DeRosa.

Interest in the World Baseball Classic surged after the events of 2023 WBC, capped by an epic showdown between Shohei Ohtani and Mike Trout. Judge watched from afar after a 62-homer season and whirlwind tour through free agency. This time, he plans to be in the middle of it.

“Just talking to a lot of the guys, they talked about the atmosphere, the experience -- it’s nothing like they’ve ever seen,” Judge said. “Especially some guys that have never been in a playoff atmosphere, they’re like, ‘This is the best baseball I’ve ever played.’ So, I’m looking forward to fighting with my guys and being in some high-impact situations.”

Judge won’t be alone, with rosters set to be announced on Thursday. David Bednar has expressed interest in pitching for Team USA, Jazz Chisholm Jr. is expected to join Great Britain, while the Dominican Republic should have Camilo Doval, Amed Rosario and Austin Wells.

2) The ‘Run It Back’ Bombers
During the 2023-24 offseason, general manager Brian Cashman launched an impassioned defense of his approach, challenging a questioner by declaring that the organization was “pretty [bleeping] good.”

Those Yankees went on to win a pennant. Cashman is now pushing back again, dismissing concerns that the 2026 Yankees look too much like the ’25 team that fell short.

“I’m not afraid to run with the quality and talented roster of players that we do have,” Cashman said. “I've been openly willing to challenge anybody that [says] we don't have a championship-caliber roster and team.”

There are plenty of similarities to the group that won 94 regular-season games and led the Majors with 849 runs scored before being sent home by the Blue Jays in the American League Division Series. Cody Bellinger acknowledged as much, saying he was “excited to run it back with those guys.”

“Obviously, it might not be what everyone wants to hear, but I really do love the group that we had,” Bellinger said. “We had a special, special unit. We had great chemistry that I don’t think can be understood unless you’re inside the clubhouse.”

3) Searching for balance
Left-handed power has historically played well in Yankee Stadium, but the club has voiced concerns that they may have too much of it. Cashman said the current roster is “without a doubt” too left-handed; Bellinger’s return added another lefty, albeit one who knocked southpaws for a 1.016 OPS last season.

Judge and Giancarlo Stanton give them a couple of all-world right-handed bats, while Rosario is a proven performer against lefties and José Caballero will get a full season in the Bronx. The Yanks have continued to look for additional right-handed bats, exploring a reunion with Paul Goldschmidt while also being connected to Randal Grichuk and Austin Slater.

Switch-hitting Jasson Domínguez’s progress against left-handed pitching will be a spring focus. Domínguez went to winter ball to log extra at-bats and outfield reps, looking to improve upon a .186 (22-for-118) career split against southpaws.

4) ‘Young pups’ in the 'pen
Bednar, Doval and Fernando Cruz project to shoulder the heaviest leverage at the back end of the bullpen, while Tim Hill, Paul Blackburn and Ryan Yarbrough were among the relievers brought back with one-year contracts. There will be opportunities for others.

Cashman recently referenced a group of “young pups” looking to open eyes, specifically mentioning Top 100 prospects Elmer Rodríguez (No. 82 in MLB Pipeline's rankings) and Carlos Lagrange (No. 79 overall). New pickups Angel Chivilli and Cade Winquest will get looks; Ben Hess, Chase Hampton and Bryce Cunningham are also worth watching.

“We have a lot of quality young arms that are high-caliber and are going to try to push their way into the mix,” Cashman said. “It’s a work in progress.”

5) Comeback trails
One reason the Yankees believe 2026 could finish differently than ’25 is the return of rehabbing stars, most prominently Gerrit Cole, who didn’t throw a single inning last year. He’s expected to return from Tommy John surgery in May or June.

Carlos Rodón should be pitching in games during Spring Training, though he’ll need time to build stamina before potentially returning in late April or early May. Clarke Schmidt is projected as a second-half addition.

The Yankees also see Anthony Volpe making an impact when he returns from left shoulder surgery, potentially in May. Volpe posted a .786 OPS before May 3, when he landed on the shoulder attempting a defensive play.

“He’s here [in Tampa] working his tail off as expected, with a smile on his face and fully committed,” Cashman said. “I look forward to him rejoining us at shortstop at some point, sooner than later.”