The New York Yankees are embracing versatility more than ever. Just a night after salvaging their series against the Arizona Diamondbacks with a 9–7 win, manager Aaron Boone rolled out another lineup tweak for Friday’s opener against the Pittsburgh Pirates — this time giving star outfielder Cody Bellinger a rest and rewarding the players currently in top form.
Boone confirmed on Friday that Bellinger was held out of the lineup due to a stiff back.
The issue flared up during Thursday’s contest, and with the team arriving in Pittsburgh early Friday morning, the Yankees opted not to push it.
It’s part of an early-season trend that’s proving effective: a matchup-based approach that maximizes offensive potential without disrupting rhythm. And with several players off to torrid starts, Boone isn’t hesitating to ride the wave.
Ben Rice makes noise at the top
Rookie Ben Rice continued to make a strong impression Thursday, taking over the leadoff spot in place of Gleyber Torres and delivering the kind of performance that catches eyes. The 26-year-old lefty finished 1-for-2 with a double, two walks, and two runs scored — a table-setter with pop and patience.
With Austin Wells out of the lineup, Rice saw expanded opportunities and made the most of them. In limited action so far, he’s slashing an eye-catching .375/.474/.875 with two home runs and two RBIs. While the sample remains small, his disciplined approach and consistent hard contact are hard to ignore.
Boone said pregame that he’s impressed with Rice’s ability to control the zone and handle velocity, particularly against right-handers. As long as the bat stays hot, expect Rice to see more starts atop the order.
Cody Bellinger received a scheduled day off Friday, opening the door for Trent Grisham to step in — and the fourth outfielder didn’t disappoint. Grisham went 3-for-4 with a home run and three RBIs on Thursday, flashing both his offensive upside and signature defensive range in center.
Grisham is now 5-for-10 on the season with a .583 on-base percentage and a .900 slugging mark. While his role is primarily defensive, Boone said he values the left-handed bat in specific matchups, particularly against pitchers who struggle with command.
“Trent’s locked in right now,” Boone said after Thursday’s win. “He’s taken really good at-bats, and we trust him in any outfield spot. It’s good to see him get rewarded.”
Friday’s lineup featured another key change: Jazz Chisholm Jr. was moved up to the three-hole after a strong start to the season. The 27-year-old second baseman entered the night hitting .292 with four home runs and eight RBIs through seven games. His slugging percentage sits above .700, and he’s added energy and aggression to a Yankees lineup that’s been increasingly dynamic.
Chisholm’s shift in the order bumps veteran Paul Goldschmidt to the cleanup spot, where the 36-year-old will look to extend his run of steady at-bats and provide protection behind the red-hot top of the lineup.
Boone noted the move wasn’t just about numbers but also about Chisholm’s confidence and presence in the box.
“Jazz has been driving the ball, playing loose, and setting a tone for us,” Boone said. “Putting him behind Rice and Judge just made sense.”
Fried aims for efficiency in second start
On the mound, Max Fried takes the ball for his second start in pinstripes after a labor-intensive debut. The left-hander allowed two earned runs over 4.2 innings against the Brewers last weekend, striking out five but needing 94 pitches to get through just 14 outs.
Despite the early exit, the Yankees were encouraged by Fried’s stuff — particularly his signature sinker and curveball. The focus now shifts to pitch efficiency as the Yankees aim to build momentum early in the season.
“His stuff played, but we want to see him get deeper,” Boone said. “He knows it. It’s just about sequencing and execution.”
Friday’s game against the Pirates represents more than just the start of a new series. It’s another test of how this Yankees roster, constructed with depth and matchup flexibility in mind, can adapt and evolve.
So far, it’s working. From Ben Rice’s emergence to Trent Grisham’s clutch bat, the Yankees are proving that their success doesn’t hinge on one star but on a collective rhythm — one shaped by smart decisions, timely production, and a willingness to shuffle the deck.
The New York Yankees are leaning fully into versatility. A night after salvaging their series against the Arizona Diamondbacks with a 9–7 win, manager Aaron Boone unveiled yet another lineup variation for Friday’s opener against the Pittsburgh Pirates — this time resting star outfielder Cody Bellinger and rewarding the hot hands.
It’s part of an early-season trend that’s proving effective: a matchup-based approach that maximizes offensive potential without sacrificing rhythm. And with several players off to torrid starts, Boone isn’t hesitating to ride the wave.
Chisholm moves Up, Goldschmidt anchors cleanup
Friday’s lineup featured another key change: Jazz Chisholm Jr. was moved up to the three-hole after a strong start to the season. The 27-year-old second baseman entered the night hitting .292 with four home runs and eight RBIs through seven games. His slugging percentage sits above .700, and he’s added energy and aggression to a Yankees lineup that’s been increasingly dynamic.
Chisholm’s shift in the order bumps veteran Paul Goldschmidt to the cleanup spot, where the 36-year-old will look to extend his run of steady at-bats and provide protection behind the red-hot top of the lineup.
Boone noted the move wasn’t just about numbers but also about Chisholm’s confidence and presence in the box.
“Jazz has been driving the ball, playing loose, and setting a tone for us,” Boone said. “Putting him behind Rice and Judge just made sense.”
Friday’s game against the Pirates represents more than just the start of a new series. It’s another test of how this Yankees roster, constructed with depth and matchup flexibility in mind, can adapt and evolve.
So far, it’s working. From Ben Rice’s emergence to Trent Grisham’s clutch bat, the Yankees are proving that their success doesn’t hinge on one star but on a collective rhythm — one shaped by smart decisions, timely production, and a willingness to shuffle the deck.
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