Projecting Yankees' Opening Day roster and lineup with one hitch

Yes, this Yankees roster will be in a constant state of change.

Last season, 52 different players wore pinstripes at some point – 32 pitchers and 20 position players.

And there’s a good chance that the 26-man roster starting the season Wednesday at San Francisco will have at least one or two changes before the April 3 home opener.

For now, here’s our best guess at the Opening Day roster:

Yankees’ projected rotation (4) Feb 12, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees pitcher Luis Gil (81) throws a pitch during live batting practice during spring training workouts at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

Feb 12, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees pitcher Luis Gil (81) throws a pitch during live batting practice during spring training workouts at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

Max Fried, LHP

Cam Schlittler, RHP

Ryan Weathers, LHP

Will Warren, RHP

Starting on the injured list: RHPs Gerrit Cole, Clarke Schmidt, Chase Hampton; LHP Carlos Rodon.

In the conversation: RHPs Luis Gil, Paul Blackburn; LHP Ryan Yarbrough.

Longshot candidates: None.

Summary: After a promising start in camp, Gil has become the Yankees’ biggest rotation question.

Gil’s wild-in-the-strike zone pitches were tattooed in his last exhibition start, highlighting the continued lack of swing-and-miss in his fastball-reliant arsenal.

There is an option to delay Gil’s entry into the rotation, with three scheduled off days through April 2, and with Blackburn and Yarbrough also able to handle bulk innings.

In a wider view of 2026, right-handers Carlos LaGrange – who threw four more scoreless innings Wednesday, with sharp sliders, changeups and 100-plus mph fastballs – and Elmer Rodriguez should be in play at some point.

Meanwhile, Carlos Rodon (elbow procedure) remains on track to join the rotation by late April, and Gerrit Cole on Wednesday made his first exhibition appearance since undergoing Tommy John surgery last March.

After his one scoreless inning (two singles, including a bunt; zero walks or strikeouts), Cole told the YES Network he “felt good” following his 10-pitch outing against the Red Sox, in a 1-0 Yankees win at Tampa, Fla.

Cole said his location “was not great,” but due to reaching “another level of intensity, the velocity creeped up,” which probably affected his command. Cole’s expected return to the Yanks’ rotation is roughly about June 1.

Yankees’ projected bullpen (9) Mar 15, 2026; Miami, FL, United States; United States pitcher David Bednar (53) delivers a pitch in the seventh inning against the Dominican Republic during a semifinal game of the 2026 World Baseball Classic at loanDepot Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Mar 15, 2026; Miami, FL, United States; United States pitcher David Bednar (53) delivers a pitch in the seventh inning against the Dominican Republic during a semifinal game of the 2026 World Baseball Classic at loanDepot Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

David Bednar, RHP

Fernando Cruz, RHP

Camilo Doval, RHP

Tim Hill, LHP

Brent Headrick, LHP

Cade Winquest, RHP

Luis Gil, RHP

Paul Blackburn, RHP

Ryan Yarbrough, LHP

In the conversation: RHPs Kervin Castro, Angel Chivilli, Jake Bird.

Longshot candidates: RHPs Osvaldo Brito, Yerry de los Santos.

Summary: Due to Gil’s unsettled status, we’ll place him with the relievers until there is further clarity.

Winquest has never pitched above Class AA and that missing piece to his development has been apparent in camp, where he’s shown mixed results.

But as a Rule 5 draftee, the Yankees must carry Winquest on the big-league roster or offer him back to the St. Louis Cardinals. They can shelter him in their bullpen – at least for now.

Yankees’ projected catchers (2)

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