NEW YORK -- The Yankees snapped off a last-minute curveball as they finalized their 26-man Opening Day roster, inking outfielder/first baseman Franchy Cordero to a split contract that will pay him $1 million in the big leagues, electing to carry 14 position players and 12 pitchers for Thursday’s contest against the Giants at Yankee Stadium.
There could be more moves in the works, manager Aaron Boone said, indicating that the Bombers plan to swap out a position player for a pitcher on Friday’s off-day.
“We have a potential deal going that’ll probably change that moving forward in the next day or two where a pitcher could be in play for us,” Boone said.
Here is the Yankees' Opening Day roster, announced on Thursday:
Catcher (2): Jose Trevino, Kyle Higashioka
Trevino dealt with a right wrist sprain during camp, but he resumed playing on March 21 and is ready for Opening Day. Trevino was an American League All-Star and a Gold Glove Award winner last season, when he recorded career highs in games (115), runs (39), hits (83), homers (11) and RBIs (43).
First baseman (1): Anthony Rizzo
Rizzo re-signed with the Yankees this past November, coming off a season in which he batted .224/.338/.480 while equaling his career high with 32 homers, which tied for the seventh most in the AL. The 33-year-old is the only player since 2013 to record at least nine 20-homer seasons.
Second basemen (2): Gleyber Torres, DJ LeMahieu
Though LeMahieu got the starting nod at second base on Opening Day, Boone considers Torres his starting second baseman, with LeMahieu envisioned to draw starts at first base, second base and third base to keep his bat in the lineup. LeMahieu has been healthy this spring after a right foot injury hindered his second-half production; Boone said there have been “zero issues” for months.
Shortstop (1): Anthony Volpe
As the youngest player to appear in a Yankees Opening Day lineup since Derek Jeter in 1996, Volpe arrives in the Majors to astronomical expectations. But after a sensational spring -- he hit .309 (17-for-55) with six doubles, a triple, three homers and five RBIs in 19 exhibition games -- the New Jersey product appears ready to live up to them.
Third baseman (1): Josh Donaldson
Though Donaldson hit just .222 with 15 homers and 62 RBIs in 132 games last season, Boone recently said that he is “not far removed from 2021, when he was still a wrecking ball,” adding that he believes the veteran had a strong winter. “I think you’re crazy to think that a bounce-back is not in there, offensively,” Boone said. “This guy still has bat speed and is super talented. Physically, at this point, he’s in a much better place than he was a year ago.”
Outfielders (4): Aaron Hicks, Aaron Judge, Estevan Florial, Giancarlo Stanton
With Harrison Bader on the injured list with an oblique strain, the Yankees slotted Judge back into center field for the season opener, with Stanton receiving a start in right field. The club believes that semi-regular defensive duty will help Stanton’s all-around play; Boone’s plan is to start Stanton in the outfield two or three times a week.
Infield/outfield (3): Oswaldo Cabrera, Franchy Cordero, Isiah Kiner-Falefa
Cabrera started in left field on Opening Day after following up a buzzworthy 2022 debut with a strong spring. Cordero, who spent Spring Training with the Orioles before being granted his release from the club on Monday, slashed .219/.300/.397 with eight home runs and 29 RBIs in 84 games with the Red Sox last season.
Starting pitchers (5): Gerrit Cole, Domingo Germán, Jhony Brito, Clarke Schmidt, Nestor Cortes
With Carlos Rodón set to begin the season on the injured list, the envisioned fifth-starter battle between Germán and Schmidt shifted into a tune-up for the regular season. Cole drew his fourth consecutive Opening Day start, while Brito steps in for Luis Severino, who started the season on the IL. Cortes slid toward the back of the rotation due to a right hamstring injury in February.
Relief pitchers (7): Albert Abreu, Jimmy Cordero, Clay Holmes, Michael King, Jonathan Loáisiga, Ron Marinaccio, Wandy Peralta
Injuries shifted the scene here, with Tommy Kahnle and Lou Trivino beginning the season on the injured list. Holmes will serve as the closer, with King, Loáisiga, Marinaccio and Peralta filling in behind him. Cordero showcased nasty stuff this spring, locking up a spot after posting a 3.72 ERA while striking out 10 batters against one walk in 9 2/3 innings.