Spring training has not been kind to the Yankees.
Injuries to key players have left New York looking for answers. Giancarlo Stanton arrived at camp with tennis elbow in both arms and will now start the season on the IL. Meanwhile, DJ Lemahieu left his spring debut after just two at-bats, leaving even bigger question marks at third base.
And then the starting rotation, a position of strength for the Yankees, will not have AL Rookie of the Year Luis Gil to start the season.
Barring any last-minute additions from GM Brian Cashmanmanager Aaron Boone and the rest of the organization are going to have to look at who is in camp for answers, and it provides interesting possibilities for some of the youngsters and non-roster invitees.
How will the Opening Day roster look? Here is our second Yankees 26-man roster prediction for the 2025 season…
Starting Lineup
Austin Wells: C
Paul Goldschmidt: 1b
Jazz Chisholm Jr.: 2B
Anthony Volpe: SS
Oswaldo Cabrera: 3B
Jasson Dominguez: LF
Aaron Judge: RF
Cody Bellinger: CF
Everson Pereira: DH
While this isn’t likely what the lineup will be on Opening Day — although Wells has been penciled in at leadoff — the usual faces are in the starting lineup. Add in Dominguez and the newest Yankees — Bellinger and Goldschmidt — and the only question is who will be DH with Stanton on the IL.
The Yankees are going to have to use a platoon, countering their opponent’s starter with a lefty or right-hander at the plate. I like Pereira to get another shot at the big leagues. He’s had a solid spring and would be a great right-handed outfielder off the bench.
Now, while LeMahieu hasn’t been placed on the IL, and his status for Opening Day is still up in the air, I’ve seen this show before. LeMahieu will likely miss the start of the season, and the safest bet is having Cabrera man third to start the year. There’s the potential that Oswald Peraza wins the starting job out of camp, but Cabrera’s experience and ability to play multiple positions will give the switch-hitter the edge.
Rotation
Gerrit Cole: RHP
Max Fried: LHP
Carlos Rodon: LHP
Clarke Schmidt: RHP
Marcus Stroman: RHP
Well, well, well.
It’s March and Stroman is still a Yankee, despite being a trade candidate since before camp started. It’s likely to stay that way with the injury to Gil and the Yankees’ need for a rotational piece to start the season.
Stroman has a vesting option for 2026 that kicks in if he pitches 140 innings in 2025, so how long he stays in the rotation may depend on that.
Bullpen
Devin Williams: RHP
Yerry de los Santos: RHP
Mark Head JR.: RHP
Ian Hamilton: RHP
Tyler Matzk: LHP
Tim Hill: LHP
Luke Weaver: RHP
Yoendrys Gomez: RHP
The bullpen has had a tough time this spring. Jake Cousins, JT Brubakerand Scott Effross suffered injuries that will likely keep all three off the Opening Day roster. Luckily for New York, there have been some impressive relievers this spring. De Los Santos and Gomez have pitched very well and are on the 40-man roster.
Matzek, 34, is an intriguing option. The Yanks don’t usually carry two lefties out of the ‘pen, but Matzek’s experience and his spring impressions make him a great candidate. He’s not on the 40-man roster so a move will have to be made, but a 60-day IL designation is likely in the future of one of the injured relievers, which would allow Matzek to be added.
Bench
Trent Grisham: OF
I RICE: 1B/C
Alex Jackson: C
Oswald Peraza: INF
Peraza, without any more options, will likely make the roster. If not, the Yankees will risk the once-touted prospect being claimed. With LeMahieu injured, this is the perfect time to see what Peraza can do.
As for the backup catcher’s spot, Jackson was acquired from the Reds when New York traded Jose Trevino this offseason. Jackson has major league experience and is a right-handed bat opposite of Wells’ left-handed swing. Jackson is not on the 40-man roster, so the Yankees will have to make room.
JC Escarra is also an interesting option to make the team, but I don’t think the Yanks would want two lefty-hitting catchers on their roster.
Rice will be the left-handed DH opposite of Pereira in certain games. Rice is on the 40-man roster, which bodes well for his odds. He can play both first base and be an emergency third catcher.
