New York Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman is still making minor moves, and defending his team’s roster, but we are only 13 days away from Pitchers and Catchers reporting to the team’s Spring Training facility in Tampa on February 11.
PROJECTED OPENING DAY LINEUP
Projected Opening Day Lineup
- Trent Grisham, CF (L)
- Aaron Judge, RF (R)
- Cody Bellinger, LF (L)
- Ben Rice, 1B (L)
- Giancarlo Stanton, DH (R)
- Jazz Chisholm, 2B (L)
- Austin Wells, C (L)
- Jose Caballero, SS (R)
- Ryan McMahon, 3B (L)
Projected Opening Day Reserves
- JC Escarra, C (L)
- Oswaldo Cabrera, UTIL (S)
- Amed Rosario, 1B/3B (R)
- Jasson Dominguez, LF (S)
Injured List
- Anthony Volpe, SS (R)
PROJECTED OPENING DAY PITCHING STAFF
Starting Rotation
- Max Fried, SP (L)
- Luis Gil, SP (R)
- Cam Schlittler, SP (R)
- Ryan Weathers, SP (L)
- Will Warren, SP (R)
Injured Starting Pitchers
- Gerrit Cole, SP (R)
- Carlos Rodon, SP (L)
- Clarke Schmidt, SP (R)
Bullpen
- David Bednar, Closer (R)
- Camilo Doval, Setup (R)
- Fernando Cruz, Setup (R)
- Tim Hill, Setup (L)
- Jake Bird, Long Relief (R)
- Cade Winquest, Long Relief (R)
- Paul Blackburn, Swing (R)
- Ryan Yarbrough, Swing (L)
Q&A FROM OUR READER RANTBACK FILES
Q: Are the Yankees really planning on going into the season with six left-handed hitters in their everyday lineup?
A: The short answer is yes, though I do envision Amed Rosario platooning (1B, 2B, 3B) against lefties. Long-term I would urge Cashman to continue to work the phones to try and flip one of pending free agents — Jazz Chisholm or Trent Grisham — for a right-handed hitter with term.
Q: What are the major position battles?
A: Health-permitting, the lineup and reserves are set until Anthony Volpe returns from injury. When he returns, I envision Jose Caballero joining Rosario as a platoon player.
Q: Can the Yankees survive until Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodon return?
A: Yes, Will Warren and recently acquired lefty Ryan Weathers are slated to cover those two slots in April. Plus, the Yankees added depth by bringing back veteran righty/lefty duo Paul Blackburn and Ryan Yarbrough.
Q: How will the Yankees replace Luke Weaver and Devin Williams in the bullpen now that they’ve taken their talents to Queens?
A: David Bednar will reprise his closer role, but I am concerned about set-up. Weaver and Williams imploded at times, but they also had dominant stretches in 2025. Camilo Doval, the former San Francisco Giants All-Star Closer, struggled when he first came to the Bronx. If he can acclimate to the eighth inning, the backend of the bullpen could be a strength again.
IMPORTANT DATES
2-20-26 — Spring Training Opener at Baltimore (1:05p)
3-05-26 — 2026 WBC Begins (TBD)
3-17-26 — WBC Final Game in Miami (TBD)
3-25-26 — Opening Day at San Francisco (8:05p)
4-03-26 — Yankee Stadium Home Opener vs Miami (1:35p)
5-15-26 — Subway Series in Citi Field (7:10p)
5-16-26 — Subway Series in Citi Field (7:15p)
5-17-26 — Subway Series in Citi Field (1:40p)
8-03-26 — MLB Trade Deadline (6:00p)
9-11-26 — Subway Series at Yankee Stadium (7:05p)
9-12-26 — Subway Series at Yankee Stadium (1:35p)
9-13-26 — Subway Series at Yankee Stadium (1:35p)
9-27-26 — Final Regular Season Game vs Baltimore (3:20p)
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