TAMPA, Fla. – The Yankees are ready to open the season, having completed what manager Aaron Boone said he expected to be a few “pound-the-table” debates in the closing days of their time at George M. Steinbrenner Field.
Their final decisions revolved around the pitching staff – specifically, what to do with right-hander Luis Gil, considering the club will not need a fifth starter until April 11 because of four early off-days.
That call was finalized on Tuesday. Gil was optioned to the Minor Leagues, allowing the Yankees to fill three remaining spots with relief pitchers – left-hander Brent Headrick and right-handers Jake Bird and Cade Winquest.
Here’s how the Opening Day 26-man roster will look:
Catchers (2): Austin Wells, J.C. Escarra
Wells will begin his second full season as the starter, looking to carry momentum from representing the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic. With Escarra back for a second season, the Yanks will again carry an all-lefty catching tandem (three including Ben Rice, who was mostly limited to bullpens and sides).
First baseman (2): Paul Goldschmidt, Ben Rice
Rice has focused heavily on defense at first base, an adopted position he is still learning. In fact, Rice didn’t get behind the plate in a game until the club’s final Grapefruit League game. Goldschmidt figures to get most of his at-bats against left-handed pitching.
Second baseman (1): Jazz Chisholm Jr.
Chisholm isn’t shy about setting the bar high entering his final season before potentially reaching free agency. He recently said that he’s aiming to join Shohei Ohtani as the only players to hit 50 home runs with at least 50 stolen bases.
Shortstop (1): José Caballero
The Major Leagues’ stolen-base leader last season, Caballero will serve as the starting shortstop while Anthony Volpe rehabs from left shoulder surgery. Volpe could return in May, at which time Caballero would be transitioned into more of a 10th-man role.
Third baseman (1): Ryan McMahon
The slick-fielding McMahon will begin his first full season in the Bronx after being acquired from the Rockies in July. He’s also planning to fill in as the backup shortstop early. A Gold Glove Award finalist for four consecutive years with Colorado (2021-24), McMahon is trying a narrower batting stance to cut down on his strikeouts.
Outfielders (3): Cody Bellinger, Trent Grisham, Aaron Judge
There was a point during the offseason when it looked as if left field might come down to a battle between Jasson Domínguez and Spencer Jones. Despite strong springs, both are beginning the season in the Minors. The outfield was settled when Grisham accepted a qualifying offer and Bellinger re-signed long term. Judge is coming off his third MVP performance in four years.
DH (1): Giancarlo Stanton
Stanton was crushing the ball with frequency late in camp, prompting Boone to observe that the slugger looked “ready to go.” That wasn’t a lock coming in, after Stanton was limited to 77 games due to epicondylitis in both elbows, but he seems to have found a routine that manages the pain while delivering results.
Bench/Utility (2): Randal Grichuk, Amed Rosario
The Yankees had been trying to acquire Grichuk for years, including at the Trade Deadline last year. It took longer than expected, but they envision him as a potent bat against left-handed pitching. Production against lefties and versatility are also Rosario’s calling cards.
Starting pitchers (4): Max Fried, Cam Schlittler, Will Warren, Ryan Weathers
Fried will start the opener, to be followed by Schlittler, who will be limited to 70-75 pitches his first turn after being delayed by back/lat discomfort in February. Warren had an outstanding spring (1.42 ERA in 25 1/3 innings), seeing immediate benefits after moving to the left side of the rubber. Weathers will look to prove his electric stuff can overpower a shaky Grapefruit League performance (11.68 ERA in 12 1/3 innings).
Gil is expected to rejoin the rotation on April 11, when the Yankees are scheduled to visit the Rays at refurbished Tropicana Field. By that time, both Carlos Rodón and Gerrit Cole should have game innings under their belts as they continue their rehabs.
Relief pitchers (9): David Bednar, Jake Bird, Paul Blackburn, Fernando Cruz, Camilo Doval, Brent Headrick, Tim Hill, Cade Winquest, Ryan Yarbrough
Bednar will have the ninth inning, with Cruz, Doval and Hill serving as his primary setup men. Blackburn and Yarbrough are on the staff for multi-inning length; one of them will piggyback with Schlittler in the season’s second game.
The decision to option Gil freed a bullpen spot, so the Yankees were able to carry Winquest, who will become the club’s first Rule 5 Draft selection to appear in a Major League game since Josh Phelps in 2007.
Headrick provides a third lefty, but because he offers neutral splits and Hill and Yarbrough have such different looks, pitching coach Matt Blake said they “probably have three distinct lefty roles there.”