The Yankees can't get to Opening Day soon enough.
Injuries have plagued New York this spring, and the team is trying to get to March 27 without any more. The Yankees lost their ace Gerrit Cole to Tommy John surgery, and the status of Giancarlo Stanton and DJ LeMahieu remains a mystery.
That's in addition to not having AL Rookie of the Year Luis Gil to start the season and now Clarke Schmidt is dealing with shoulder soreness and his availability for the start of the 2025 season is in question.
With all that in mind, and barring any last-minute additions, here is our final 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
Ben Rice: DH
When I created this lineup last time, I had right-hander Everson Pereira making the team. It seemed like a no-brainer, with the once-touted prospect hitting .333 with two home runs in spring but two things likely went against the outfielder.
The first is that Pereira is coming back from Tommy John surgery. The Yankees will want the youngster to get more reps, especially in the outfield, down in the minors before coming up to test his durability.
The second potential reason is that Pereira has a minor league option. Although he has only one more option remaining, that can be used if the team needs a right-handed spark off the bench later in the year.
So, that gives us Rice as the left-handed DH to start the season. Rice, who was given a runway last year playing first base for the injured Anthony Rizzo, is having a monster spring. After a slow start, Rice has smashed four home runs in his last five games and has raised his average to .283.
Rotation
Max Fried: LHP
Carlos Rodon: LHP
Marcus Stroman: RHP
Carlos Carrasco: RHP
Will Warren: RHP
The Yankees' starting rotation was hit the hardest by injuries, which has caused Stroman to remain in pinstripes at least for the time being. I believe Schmidt will be fine in the long run but for the sake of Opening Day, I'm a bit pessimistic about his availability. That's why I see Warren getting the nod to start the season.
He does have two options, so he can be sent down once Schmidt comes back.
Carrasco is the logical choice to be a part of this rotation as a non-roster invitee. Carrasco has an opt-out on March 22, which is when the Yankees have to decide on the veteran's future.
Carrasco, 37, has pitched well enough this spring to garner that final spot. In four games (three starts), Carrasco has pitched to a 1.69 ERA and a 0.94 WHIP while striking out 15 batters across 16 innings.
His addition to the roster would be easy with Cole's 60-day IL designation opening up a spot for the veteran right-hander.
Bullpen
Devin Williams: RHP
Yerry De Los Santos: RHP
Mark Leiter Jr.: RHP
Ian Hamilton: RHP
Fernando Cruz: RHP
Tim Hill: LHP
Luke Weaver: RHP
Yoendrys Gomez: RHP
The bullpen, like the rotation, has been bit by the injury bug, especially to Tyler Matzek (oblique) who I predicted would make the roster as a second lefty option. Obliques are tricky, and with Matzek's age, he will likely not be ready for Opening Day — which leaves Cruz as his replacement.
Leiter and Hamilton have missed time this spring as well, but they both are on track to make Opening Day. So assuming the health of those guys, this could be how the bullpen will look.
Bench
Trent Grisham: OF
Dom Smith: 1B/OF
J.C. Escarra: C
Oswald Peraza: INF
I originally thought right-hander Alex Jackson would win the backup catcher spot but the Yankees have pretty much shown their hand on how they plan to approach the position.
In March, Jackson has had just 13 at-bats. Escarra has 38.
It sure seems like Boone is prepping Escarra to get as many at-bats as possible to be ready for the regular season.
Peraza, without any options remaining, will make the roster or else the Yankees risk losing their former prospect. Grisham is entrenched as the fourth outfielder and Smith, a non-roster invitee, makes the cut thanks to his solid spring and versatility.
