Spring training: Yankees cut three more players as Opening Day roster takes shape

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The Yankees continued trimming their spring training roster Sunday, reassigning catcher Ronaldo Hernandez, infielder Roderick Arias, and right-hander Cam Schlittler to minor league camp following an 11-1 loss to the Braves.

This move comes two days after the Yankees cut six players as they work toward finalizing the roster for Opening Day. With position battles still unfolding, the focus remains on sorting out depth behind the plate, in the bullpen, and at the back of the rotation.

Yankees’ catching depth begins to take shape

Hernandez, 27, signed a minor-league deal with the Yankees in February but was always facing an uphill battle to make the roster. He hit 11 home runs in 63 Triple-A games in Atlanta’s system last season but managed just one hit in six Grapefruit League at-bats.

His reassignment leaves the Yankees still evaluating their backup catching options behind Austin Wells. J.C. Escarra appears to be the favorite, while Ben Rice and non-roster invitee Alex Jackson remain in the mix. With Giancarlo Stanton expected to start the season on the injured list, the Yankees have considered carrying three catchers, which could allow Rice to get at-bats as a DH.

Arias’ high ceiling comes with growing pains

Roderick Arias, 20, remains one of the Yankees’ more exciting infield prospects but is still a work in progress. The switch-hitting shortstop, a top international signing out of the Dominican Republic in 2022, showcased his raw tools at Low-A last season, hitting .233/.335/.393 with 13 home runs, 74 RBIs, and 37 stolen bases in 124 games.

His biggest hurdle is his approach at the plate. Arias posted a 31% strikeout rate last season, and in a small spring sample, that number jumped to 42.9% across seven plate appearances. The Yankees want him to refine his plate discipline before moving to High-A Hudson Valley. If he can improve his pitch selection and cut down on strikeouts, his power-speed combination could accelerate his rise through the system.

Schlittler continues to impress

Cam Schlittler, 24, may not be one of the Yankees’ top-ranked pitching prospects, but he continues to prove he belongs in the conversation. A seventh-round pick out of Northeastern in 2022, the right-hander logged 120.2 innings across multiple levels last season, including an impressive 2.60 ERA over 86.2 innings at High-A Hudson Valley.

In limited Grapefruit League action, he pitched 4.1 innings with a 2.08 ERA, showing he could handle big-league hitters in short stints. His ability to generate weak contact and limit home runs makes him a valuable depth piece. He’s expected to start the season at Double-A Somerset, where a strong showing could put him in the mix for a late-season promotion.

Yankees’ roster taking shape as spring moves forward

The Yankees currently have 33 pitchers in camp, including their marquee offseason addition, Max Fried. The left-hander signed an eight-year, $218 million deal after Juan Soto departed for the Mets in free agency. Now, he’s preparing for his highly anticipated spring debut.

A two-time All-Star and three-time Gold Glove winner, Fried was Atlanta’s ace during its 2021 World Series run and finished second in the 2022 NL Cy Young race behind Sandy Alcantara. At 31, he’s expected to be a key piece of a Yankees rotation already dealing with injuries to Luis Gil and Clarke Schmidt.

After Aaron Judge made his spring debut in Saturday’s 9-3 win over the Astros, attention now shifts to Fried. The Yankees’ biggest offseason acquisition will take the mound for the first time in pinstripes Monday night at George M. Steinbrenner Field against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

As the Yankees continue their spring preparations, roster battles remain at the forefront. With Hernández out and the backup catcher job still up for grabs, the team’s depth chart is starting to take shape. Meanwhile, the rotation hinges on Fried’s performance, making his upcoming start a key moment in New York’s spring training.

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