NEW YORK 每 The glass is always half full in Aaron Judge＊s corner of the Yankees clubhouse, and that＊s still true, even though the Opening Day roster looks a bit different than the captain might have anticipated just a few weeks ago.
※It＊s a good opportunity for a lot of young guys to show us what they＊ve got,§ Judge said.
After seeing his team come together underneath the Florida sunshine, the reigning American League MVP says he is ready to lead this group into games that count. Judge expects their upcoming fight for the American League East will once again present ※a gauntlet§ -- one they＊re equipped to navigate.
※It＊s going to be tough, but I like our squad,§ Judge said. ※We＊ve got some good young players that are ready to go. We＊re going to get back out there.§
Catcher (3): Austin Wells, Ben Rice, J.C. Escarra
Wells is entering his first full season as a starting catcher, coming off a strong spring in which he was 16-for-46 (.348) with six homers and 12 RBIs. The Yanks plan to use him in the leadoff spot against right-handed starters, citing his propensity to get on base. Rice hit five spring homers and said he added 10 pounds over the winter, most of it muscle. Escarra＊s long and winding path to the big leagues was one of the spring＊s great stories.
First baseman (1): Paul Goldschmidt
The 2022 National League MVP, Goldschmidt is seeking a bounce-back campaign after signing a one-year deal in December. The 37-year-old hit .308 (12-for-39) with three doubles, three homers and 11 RBIs this spring. He missed a few games with a sore back in March but returned to action.
Second baseman (1): Jazz Chisholm Jr.
Entering his first full year as a Yankee, Chisholm has not shied away from boasting about how good the Yankees＊ middle infield could be, predicting that the team will lead the Majors in double plays turned. Chisholm was 10-for-48 (.208) with two doubles, three homers and 12 RBIs in the spring.
Shortstop (1): Anthony Volpe
Volpe is set to begin his third season as the starting shortstop, having won the American League Gold Glove as a rookie in 2023. The Yanks hope he can carry a strong October into the new year. He was 11-for-53 (.208) with a double, four homers and nine RBIs in spring play.
Third baseman (1): Oswaldo Cabrera
DJ LeMahieu＊s bid to break camp as the Opening Day third baseman lasted two at-bats, and now the versatile Cabrera will receive a chance to show what he can produce in a full-time role. Cabrera was 15-for-54 (.278) with a double, two homers and three RBIs this spring.
Outfielders (4): Jasson Dom赤nguez, Cody Bellinger, Aaron Judge, Trent Grisham
Bellinger was the club＊s most consistent offensive threat in the spring, pounding 22 hits in 52 at-bats (.423), with five doubles, four homers and eight RBIs. Dom赤nguez＊s defense improved after a bumpy few games early in camp, and he tied for the team lead with 12 RBIs. Judge is looking to ward off a slow April after a quiet spring, held to four hits in 33 at-bats (.121), with 18 strikeouts. Grisham will be utilized in a reserve role.
Bench/utility (2): Oswald Peraza, Pablo Reyes
The Yanks are looking to find some right-handed balance here. Reyes earned a spot on the roster with his defensive versatility and a live bat that displayed more pop than expected, in Boone＊s view. Once a touted prospect, Peraza is looking to rebound from a couple of difficult seasons.
Starting pitchers (5): Carlos Rod車n, Max Fried, Marcus Stroman, Will Warren, Carlos Carrasco
Rod車n will draw the Opening Day start in place of injured ace Gerrit Cole, reigning AL Rookie of the Year Luis Gil is also out for at least three months with a high-grade right lat strain, and Clarke Schmidt is beginning the season on the injured list to build stamina. Good thing the Yankees signed Fried to an eight-year, $218 million contract in December. The 38-year-old Carrasco earned a spot with a sterling spring, fashioning a 1.69 ERA across 16 innings.
Relief pitchers (8): Devin Williams, Luke Weaver, Fernando Cruz, Tim Hill, Mark Leiter Jr., Ryan Yarbrough, Yoendrys G車mez, Brent Headrick
The Bombers expect to lock down leads with this bullpen crew, headed by Williams, a two-time National League Reliever of the Year who will take over the closer＊s role after being acquired from the Brewers in December. Weaver shifts to a setup role; Cruz had a rough spring (9.95 ERA in 6 1/3 innings) after being picked up from the Reds. Yarbrough signed with the Yanks on Monday after opting out of his deal with the Blue Jays; he had a career-best 3.19 ERA across 44 appearances last year with the Dodgers and Toronto.