One week out from Opening Day, a look at the Yankees' projected roster
TAMPA, Fla. – Even as spring training winds down, the Yankees have a handful of Opening Day roster spots that are unsettled.
How the Yankees handle Clarke Schmidt, delayed recently by shoulder fatigue, could open another pitcher’s spot or – temporarily – an extra reserve spot for a position player.
Plus, the final week of camp creates a lot of movement, with non-roster veterans exercising opt outs or being cut loose from their clubs in Florida and Arizona.
A week away from Opening Day, let’s take one more swing at the Yankees’ 26-man group going north.
Yankees’ projected rotation (5)
Max Fried, LHP
Carlos Rodon, LHP
Marcus Stroman, RHP
Will Warren, RHP
Carlos Carrasco, RHP
In consideration: Clarke Schmidt, Allan Winans, RHPs, Brandon Leibrandt, Brent Headrick, LHPs.
Injury list: Gerrit Cole, Luis Gil, Chase Hampton, RHPs.
Analysis: Schmidt is due to throw a live BP session on Thursday, bringing more clarity to his timetable to begin the 2025 season.
There’s a possibility the Yankees stay with their original plan to start Schmidt on April 3, the season’s sixth game, at home against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
After being delayed initially in camp with a minor back issue, Schmidt was scratched from a Grapefruit League start last week due to shoulder fatigue.
Instead, Schmidt threw a 24-pitch bullpen session earlier this week and reported that he felt fine and on schedule to debut April 3, but the ever-cautious Yankees might not feel he’s built up enough.
Meanwhile, Carrasco continued a solid spring with five scoreless innings Wednesday night against the Braves at Steinbrenner Field, in a 4-0 Atlanta win.
The veteran right-hander, a non-roster invitee, can opt out of camp Saturday, but the Yankees’ rotation needs suggest he’ll be around to start the season.
"He's done everything he can to be in that mix,'' said manager Aaron Boone. Carrasco wouldn't expand on his opt out, but said he's "always'' thought "positively'' about making the Yanks' rotation since camp began.
Warren, a rookie, has also pitched well in camp and seems to have a spot with Gerrit Cole (elbow surgery) out for the year and Luis Gil (lat strain) out of the picture possibly until July.
Fried has looked the part of an ace this spring and Stroman, once the odd-man out in the rotation, tossed three scoreless innings in Wednesday’s split squad game against the Phillies.
Yankees’ projected bullpen (8)
Devin Williams, RHP
Luke Weaver, RHP
Tim Hill, LHP
Fernando Cruz, RHP
Ian Hamilton, RHP
Yerry De los Santos, RHP
Mark Leiter, Jr., RHP
Yoendrys Gomez, RHP
In consideration: Colten Brewer, Geoff Hartlieb, RHPs; Rob Zastryzny, LHP.
Injury list: Jake Cousins, Scott Effross, JT Brubaker, Jonathan Loaisiga, RHPs; Tyler Matzek, LHP.
Analysis: Matzek (oblique strain) is a non-roster invitee who could stay in the organization; he was on track to make the club until his injury and could be ready by late April.
Loaisiga isn’t expected to be available for the Yankees until late May at the earliest, as he continues to build up following elbow surgery last year, but he’s throwing bullpen sessions.
Out of minor-league options, Gomez has seen a 2-3 mph uptick in his fastball. He’s pitched well in camp and seems to have a place as a multi-inning reliever.
“He’s done a good job,’’ Boone said of Gomez, a starter until this spring. “Certainly (relief pitching) is his path right now.’’
Leiter Jr. (back) and Hamilton (illness) aren't Opening Day locks, due to recent delays. Cousins (forearm strain) could be in the Yanks’ bullpen by late May.
Yankees' projected infielders (6)
Paul Goldschmidt, 1B
Jazz Chisholm Jr., 2B-3B
Anthony Volpe, SS
Oswaldo Cabrera, IF-OF
Ben Rice, 1B-OF
Oswald Peraza, 2B-SS-3B
Injury list: DJ LeMahieu.
In consideration: Dominic Smith, Jorbit Vivas, Braden Shewmake, Andrew Velazquez.
Analysis: Rice has been crushing Grapefruit League pitching this spring training, and he looks to be a regular option at designated hitter.
Giancarlo Stanton (tendinitis, both elbows) will start the season on the IL, and there’s no timetable for his return, which could be months off.
LeMahieu (calf strain) has resumed hitting off a tee, but even if he’s an option by May, the Yanks can’t assume to receive any production here due to the veteran infielder’s recent injury history.
Out of minor-league options, Peraza remains a trade candidate with pinstriped needs in the outfield and with their pitching depth.
Smith, the veteran first baseman, has looked good at the plate but the Yankees are loaded with lefty hitters.
Yankees' projected outfielders/DH (5)
Aaron Judge
Cody Bellinger
Jasson Dominguez
Trent Grisham
Pablo Reyes
In consideration: Duke Ellis, Brennen Davis, Everson Pereira
Injury list: Giancarlo Stanton.
Analysis: Stanton could be a few months away due to tendinitis in both elbows; he’s yet to swing a bat since mid-January.
Coming off elbow surgery in 2024, Pereira had limited time defensively this camp.
Pereira was optioned last week, but the promising right-handed hitter and plus-defender should impact the big-league roster at some point this season, possibly sooner than later.
Reyes, the veteran right-handed hitting utilityman, has had an impressive camp, batting .324 with an .896 OPS in 15 games and can handle shortstop, second base, third base as well as the outfield.
Yankees' projected catchers (2)
Austin Wells
JC Escarra
In consideration: Alex Jackson.
Analysis: The lefty-hitting Escarra has been hard to ignore at the plate, putting himself in position to make his MLB debut at age 29.
Despite being a right-handed hitter with MLB experience, Jackson (a non-roster invitee) has been eclipsed by Escarra’s showing in this camp.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Yankees 2025 roster predictions one week from Opening Day
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