TAMPA, Fla. — The New York Yankees open the 2026 season in San Francisco on March 25. That is less than two weeks away. The roster decisions are getting real.
Manager Aaron Boone said this week that the final cuts will come down to a group effort between himself and general manager Brian Cashman, with input from coaches, executives and scouts.
“There’ll be a lot of opinions,” Boone said. “We’ll get all those and then usually when it comes down to the very end, ultimately, Cash and I take all that in and make a decision.”
Two of the Yankees’ four bench spots are spoken for. First baseman Paul Goldschmidt and infielder/outfielder Amed Rosario, who plays third, second and left, are locks. Catcher J.C. Escarra will serve as the backup behind Austin Wells because starting first baseman Ben Rice has not caught a single inning this spring.
That leaves one spot. And there are five players fighting for it.
Cabrera’s comeback runs into the Yankees’ numbers game
Oswaldo Cabrera is fully recovered from the fractured ankle that ended his 2025 season in May. He is healthy. He can play multiple positions. Yankees fans love his energy and his willingness to do whatever the team asks.
But Cabrera only began playing games last week. He got a late start in spring training because of the rehab timeline from the ankle surgery. The Yankees are likely to start him on the injured list, which would buy time but also push him further behind in the competition.
Even after a few rehab games, there may not be a spot for Cabrera on the Yankees roster. The math works against him. When shortstop Anthony Volpe comes off the injured list in late April or early May, Jose Caballero will shift from starting shortstop into a super utility role. That is the exact role Cabrera fills. And Cabrera is not out of minor league options, which means the Yankees can send him down without exposing him to waivers.
It is a brutal situation for a player who has been a fan favorite in the Bronx since his 2022 debut.
Who the Yankees are choosing between for the final spot
The last Yankees bench seat comes down to shortstop Paul DeJong, infielder/outfielder Max Schuemann, left fielder Jasson Dominguez and outfielder Randal Grichuk.
Schuemann has impressed the Yankees with his versatility and his bat. He is hitting .350 in 20 spring at-bats with two stolen bases. The ability to play multiple positions gives him value that a one-dimensional player cannot match.
Grichuk brings power, experience and a right-handed bat that has crushed left-handed pitching three of the last four seasons. But he signed a minor league deal on Feb. 26 and got a late start. He laced a double off a lefty in his spring debut but went just 1-for-8 with three strikeouts through his first three games. The Yankees want to see more from him in the final week of camp before making a call.
DeJong offers veteran depth at shortstop. But an outright to Triple-A Scranton is a real possibility if the Yankees choose versatility over positional insurance at short.
Dominguez may start 2026 at Triple-A despite a strong spring
Jasson Dominguez has been the story of Yankees camp. The 23-year-old switch hitter is batting .333 with three home runs and nine RBI in 11 Grapefruit League games. He has looked like a different player at the plate.
But there are concerns. His defense in left field is still a work in progress. He remains a significantly better hitter from the left side than the right, even though he did homer batting right-handed a few days ago. And the Yankees outfield is crowded with Aaron Judge, Cody Bellinger and Trent Grisham all locked into everyday roles. Giancarlo Stanton fills the DH spot.
An option to Triple-A is a real possibility for Dominguez, perhaps even a probability. The Yankees still view him as a big part of their future. But they would rather let him get regular at-bats in Scranton than sit on the bench as a fourth outfielder.
A starting job could open up next season when center fielder Grisham becomes a free agent. For now, the Yankees believe Dominguez’s development is better served by playing every day.
The Yankees’ predicted Opening Day bench
Based on the current trajectory of camp, the Yankees’ Opening Day bench is shaping up as Goldschmidt, Rosario, Escarra and either Schuemann or Grichuk. Dominguez would be optioned. Cabrera would start on the IL. DeJong would be outrighted.
It could change in the final week. One injury, one hot streak or one cold stretch can flip the picture. But the numbers do not lie. The Yankees have more players they like than roster spots available.
For Cabrera, the timing of his ankle recovery could not have been worse. He did everything right in rehab. He is ready to play. But the Yankees’ roster is full, and the competition did not wait for him to get healthy.
What do you think? Leave your comment below.
