New York Yankees News

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Cam Schlittler • SP • Yankees

Cam Schlittler Looking to Diversify his Arsenal This Offseason

New York Yankees right-hander Cam Schlittler said he's looking to develop a changeup or splitter this offseason to use below the strike zone against left-handed hitters, according to Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News. Nothing has been decided yet, but pitching coach Matt Blake said a changeup is more likely. The 24-year-old had a highly successful first showing in the big leagues in 2025, posting a 2.96 ERA (3.74 FIP) with a 1.22 WHIP and 84 strikeouts in 73 innings over 14 starts. Schlittler really stood out in the Game 3 win over the division-rival Boston Red Sox in the Wild-Card Series, when he struck out 12 in eight scoreless innings. He mostly relied on his 98 mph four-seam fastball (55% usage) last year, while using a cutter 21% of the time and a curveball 15% of the time. Schlittler also has a sinker and a slider, but adding a changeup could make him more effective against lefties.

2 days ago

Clarke Schmidt • SP • Yankees

Clarke Schmidt, Yankees Avoid Arbitration on Friday

Right-hander Clarke Schmidt and the New York Yankees avoided salary arbitration on Friday by agreeing to a one-year, $4.5 million deal for the 2026 season, a source told Robert Murray of FanSided. Schmidt probably won't pitch again for the Yankees until the second half of next season after he had an internal-brace procedure on his right elbow in mid-July. The 29-year-old former 16th overall pick in 2017 out of South Carolina was solid in 14 starts for the Yanks before his elbow injury this year, going 4-4 with a 3.32 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, and 73:30 K:BB over 78 2/3 innings pitched. Schmidt was even better in 2024 before another injury ended his season early, as he posted a career-best 2.85 ERA and 1.18 WHIP in 16 starts in pinstripes. In his six MLB seasons, Schmidt has a 3.82 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, 23% strikeout rate, and 8.3% walk rate.

Nov 21

Ryan Yarbrough • RP • Yankees

Ryan Yarbrough Agrees With Yankees on One-Year Deal

Free-agent left-hander Ryan Yarbrough agreed with the New York Yankees on an undisclosed one-year deal on Monday, pending a physical, a source told Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. ESPN's Buster Olney is reporting that Yarbrough is signing for $2.5 million. The 33-year-old veteran southpaw served in a swing role for the Yankees in 2025, starting in eight of his 19 appearances in pinstripes. In his 64 innings pitched, Yarbrough held a 3-1 record, 4.36 ERA (5.04 FIP), and 1.20 WHIP with a save, 55 strikeouts, and 19 walks. Yarbrough has a career 4.22 ERA and 1.18 WHIP in eight major-league seasons with five different teams. He's not much of a draw in fantasy baseball with a career 7.1 K/9 mark in 832 innings pitched, but he'll give the Yankees plenty of flexibility in terms of role, with the team expected to be without several of their high-end starting pitchers to begin the 2026 season.

Nov 17

Aaron Judge • RF • Yankees

Aaron Judge Wins AL MVP Award Again

New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge was named the American League Most Valuable Player on Thursday night for the second straight season, MLB announced. Judge set the record for the most home runs in a single season in the AL in 2022 with 62, and now he's won back-to-back MVP awards, proving that he's one of the best right-handed hitters in MLB history. In 2025, he led all of baseball with a .331 batting average while also hitting 50 home runs. The only other players to do that were Hall of Famers Jimmie Foxx (1938) and Mickey Mantle (1956). Judge's 53 total home runs were the most ever by a batting champ. The 33-year-old didn't stop there, though, also leading the league in on-base percentage (.457) and slugging percentage (.688). Judge's OPS of 1.144 was nearly 200 points higher than Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh's .948. The fact that Judge played through an elbow injury in 2025 made his campaign even more impressive.

Nov 14

Aaron Judge • RF • Yankees

Aaron Judge Headlines AL Silver Slugger Award Winners

New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge headlined this year's American League Silver Slugger award winners to take home the hardware for the fifth time in his career, according to David Adler of MLB.com. Joining Judge in the AL were Athletics rookie first baseman Nick Kurtz (first-time winner), Yankees second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. (first), Cleveland Guardians third baseman Jose Ramirez (sixth), Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. (second), Minnesota Twins outfielder Byron Buxton (first), Detroit Tigers outfielder Riley Greene (first), Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh (first), Toronto Blue Jays designated hitter George Springer (third), and Tigers utility player Zach McKinstry (first). The Yankees were the best slugging team in the AL in 2025, scoring a league-best 849 runs, 51 more than any other team. They also led the AL in homers (274), slugging (.455), OPS (.787) and total bases (2,488).

Nov 8

Kenta Maeda • RP • Yankees

Kenta Maeda Returning to Japan

Free-agent right-hander Kenta Maeda announced on Wednesday that he will return to his native country of Japan in 2026 to continue his career. Maeda made his debut in the big leagues in 2016 with the Los Angeles Dodgers and pitched for the Blue until 2019 before short stints with the Minnesota Twins and Detroit Tigers. The 37-year-old veteran spent the last two seasons with Detroit and was demoted to a bullpen role in 2024. He only made seven appearances out of the bullpen for the Tigers this past season, allowing eight runs (seven earned) on nine hits (one homer) while walking six and striking out eight in eight innings pitched. Maeda also pitched at the Triple-A level in 2025 in the Chicago Cubs and New York Yankees organizations and wasn't very sharp, posting a combined 5.40 ERA and 1.32 WHIP in 100 innings. There's a good chance we won't see Maeda in MLB again.

Nov 6

Gerrit Cole • SP • Yankees

Gerrit Cole Throws a Bullpen Session

New York Yankees right-hander Gerrit Cole (elbow) threw off a bullpen mound at Yankee Stadium on Saturday, according to Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News. The previously stated plan is for Cole to "de-load" after a few weeks before meeting with Dr. Neal ElAttrache this offseason. Manager Aaron Boone said he's hoping to see Cole "face live hitters during camp." The 35-year-old former Cy Young winner and six-time All-Star is making progress from Tommy John surgery on his right elbow, but he's not expected to be ready for the start of the 2026 regular season. The good news, though, is that Cole isn't expected to be out long early in the season before making his debut. Fantasy managers are going to have questions as to whether Cole can regain his pre-injury form at his age after making only 17 starts in 2024 and not pitching at all in 2025.

Nov 1

Ben Rice • 1B • Yankees

Ben Rice Viewed as Primary First Baseman Going into Next Year

New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone said he sees first baseman Ben Rice as the team's starting first baseman next year, but that won't mean that he will abandon catching behind Austin Wells, accordig to Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News. Rice filled a unique utility role for the Yankees in 2025, serving as the designated hitter, playing first base, and also catching down the stretch. The 26-year-old former 12th-round pick in 2021 out of Dartmouth College took a big step forward in his second season in the big leagues, and first full campaign. In 138 games played, he hit .255 (119-for-467) with 26 home runs, 65 RBI, 74 runs scored, and three stolen bases in 530 trips to the plate. It became apparent pretty quickly that he was the better option at first base over the aging Paul Goldschmidt, but the Yankees needed him to fill multiple roles. Rice is a player on the rise and will be an everyday player in 2026.

Oct 17

Jasson Domínguez • LF • Yankees

Jasson Dominguez Expected to Play Regularly in 2026

MLB.com's Bryan Hoch reports that New York Yankees outfielder Jasson Dominguez is expected to play regularly in 2026, according to manager Aaron Boone. Dominguez may play winter ball this offseason to prepare him for next year, and the Yankees envision him in left field, depending on how the offseason goes. Boone also said during his season-ending press conference on Thursday that top outfield prospect Spencer Jones is in play to be a regular contributor at the big-league level next year. A lot has been expected of Dominguez since he arrived in the Bronx. The 22-year-old did lead the Yankees with 93 starts in left field in 2025, but he wasn't playing regularly late in the year and was a disappointment for his fantasy managers with a .257/.331/.388 slash line, 10 home runs, 47 RBI, 58 runs scored, and 23 stolen bases in 123 games in his first full big-league season. The switch-hitting Dominican still has the potential to be a post-hype sleeper, but competition will be fierce in New York.

Oct 17

Carlos Rodón • SP • Yankees

Carlos Rodon Unlikely to Be Ready for Opening Day After Elbow Surgery

New York Yankees left-hander Carlos Rodon (elbow) had surgery on Wednesday to remove loose bodies and to shave down a bone spur in his left elbow and will not throw for eight weeks, according to manager Aaron Boone. The skipper added that it "probably delays him" to start the 2026 regular season. So the Yankees will be without both Rodon and right-hander Gerrit Cole (elbow) to begin next season. The good news is that both Rodon and Cole could return before the end of April, barring setbacks in their recoveries. The 32-year-old made his third career All-Star appearance (and first in pinstripes) in 2025 by winning a career-high 18 games and posting a 3.09 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, and 203:73 K:BB in 33 starts. However, fantasy managers will be skeptical about Rodon heading into 2026 after his surgical procedure on his elbow. Still, Rodon has back-to-back seasons with an ERA under 4.00 in the Bronx after posting a 6.85 ERA in 2023 in his first year in New York.

Oct 17

Aaron Judge • RF • Yankees

Aaron Judge Will Not Need Elbow Surgery

New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge (elbow) will not need surgery on his right elbow this offseason after undergoing an MRI exam, according to manager Aaron Boone. "He'll take some time off and continue to do strengthening things and rehab stuff," Boone said. Judge had a flexor strain in his throwing arm in late July and spent 10 days on the injured list. When the 33-year-old two-time MVP returned, he was limited to designated hitter duties for a month. He eventually returned to everyday duties in right field in the Bronx and should have a pretty normal offseason, barring a setback over the winter. Boone expects Judge to open the 2026 campaign as the team's starting right fielder. Judge had 50-plus homers for the second straight year in 2025 and led the league in runs (137), WAR (9.7), walks (124), average (.331), on-base percentage (.457), slugging (.688), OPS (1.144), and total bases (372) in 152 games played.

Oct 16

Anthony Volpe • SS • Yankees

Anthony Volpe Won't be Ready for Start of Next Season

New York Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe (shoulder) will be delayed to start the 2026 season after recently having surgery to fix a partially torn labrum in his left (non-throwing) shoulder, according to Deesha Thosar of FOX Sports. The Yankees are expecting Volpe to start hitting at the start of February, but he will not be allowed to dive on his surgically repaired shoulder until around April. While Volpe finished just one home run and two stolen bases shy of his second 20-20 season in his third year in the big leagues, he wasn't the same offensively after injuring his left shoulder in early May. The good news is that the 24-year-old will be back in May in a worst-case scenario, so he shouldn't have to miss too much time to begin 2026. Until Volpe is ready, expect the speedy Jose Caballero to start at the 6 for the Yankees. When Volpe is ready to return, he'll be firmly in the mix to take over at shortstop in the Bronx.

Oct 16

Clarke Schmidt • SP • Yankees

Clarke Schmidt Could be an Option in Second Half of 2026

New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone said that right-hander Clarke Schmidt (elbow) could be an option in the second half of next season, according to The Athletic's Chris Kirschner. Schmidt will miss the first half of the 2026 campaign after having an internal brace procedure on his right elbow on July 11. The 29-year-old hurler has been a solid rotation piece for the Yankees over the last two seasons, but he also hasn't been reliable due to multiple injuries. He had a 2.85 ERA and 1.18 WHIP in 16 starts in 2024 before going 4-4 with a 3.32 ERA (3.95 FIP) and 1.09 WHIP with 73 strikeouts and 30 walks in 14 starts this past season. Schmidt had a career-high 149 K's and 46 walks in 33 outings (32 starts) for the Bombers back in 2023. He will not be on the fantasy radar in single-year leagues next spring, and it remains to be seen how much he'll be able to contribute to New York's rotation after the All-Star break.

Oct 16

Gerrit Cole • SP • Yankees

Gerrit Cole Won't be Ready for Opening Day Next Year

New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone confirmed that right-hander Gerrit Cole (elbow) will not be ready for Opening Day in 2026, although the hope is that he will be ready soon after, according to Chris Kirschner of The Athletic. Cole underwent Tommy John surgery that included an internal-brace procedure on his right elbow back in March, so it's not a surprise that he won't be ready for the start of next regular season. The good news is that the Yankees shouldn't have to wait long for the ace to make his debut, barring a setback in his recovery. The 35-year-old former American League Cy Young winner has already resumed throwing on flat ground. Cole made only 17 starts for the Yankees in 2024 due to injuries and was unable to pitch at all in 2025, so it's understandable for fantasy managers to wonder if he can return to his Cy Young form in 2026.

Oct 16

Spencer Jones • CF • Yankees

Spencer Jones "in the Conversation" to be Everyday Player for Yankees in 2026

New York Yankees outfield prospect Spencer Jones has put himself "in the conversation" to be an everyday big-leaguer in 2026, according to general manager Brian Cashman. Jones is definitely on the rise and has an exciting blend of power and speed for fantasy managers, but it might be hard for the Yankees to fit the 24-year-old left-handed slugger in their big-league lineup regularly, barring injuries. Jones is listed as the No. 99 overall prospect by MLB Pipeline. Standing at a hulking 6-foot-7, 240 pounds, he's a hulking physical specimen with elite power/speed upside. He hit .274/.362/.571 with 35 home runs and 29 stolen bases in 2025 with Double-A Somerset and Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, which was great, but it also came with a strikeout rate of 35.4%. The swing and miss in his game is concerning and could be exposed even more in the majors, but it's not often this kind of power/speed upside comes along.

Oct 16

Anthony Volpe • SS • Yankees

Anthony Volpe Undergoes Left-Shoulder Surgery

New York Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe (shoulder) underwent surgery to fix a partially torn labrum in his left shoulder on Tuesday, according to Joel Sherman and Greg Joyce of the New York Post. Although Volpe ended up coming one home run shy of his second 20-homer season in 153 regular-season games in 2025, his shoulder injury likely contributed to him hitting a disappointing .212 (114-for-539). The 24-year-old initially injured his left shoulder while diving for a ball on defense in early May. It was impressive that Volpe never landed on the injured list due to the injury, but he had setbacks along the way. Volpe should be recovered in time to be ready for the start of the 2026 regular season, although his timeline in spring training could be affected. He had a .786 OPS before injuring his shoulder on May 3 and a .628 OPS the rest of the season.

Oct 15

Paul Goldschmidt • 1B • Yankees

Paul Goldschmidt Plans to Play Next Year

New York Yankees first baseman and soon-to-be free agent Paul Goldschmidt plans to continue his career in 2026, Jon Heyman of the New York Post relays. "I love playing," the 38-year-old said after the Toronto Blue Jays eliminated the Yankees from the playoffs on Wednesday. A former Arizona Diamondback and St. Louis Cardinal, Goldschmidt signed a one-year, $12.5 million contract with the Yankees last winter and went on to hit a modest .274/.328/.403 with 10 homers, 45 RBI, 76 runs scored, and five stolen bases in 146 games and 534 plate appearances. While his MVP-caliber days are long behind him, the seven-time All-Star remains a force against left-handed pitchers (he slashed .336/.411/.570 versus southpaws in 2025), a steady defender, and a respected clubhouse presence. With that in mind, Goldschmidt figures to land another major league contract in the coming months.

Oct 10

Cody Bellinger • LF • Yankees

Cody Bellinger Plans to Opt Out of Contract

New York Yankees outfielder Cody Bellinger plans to opt out of the final season of his contract and become a free agent, Jorge Castillo of ESPN.com reports. With a $25 million player option and a $5 million buyout, Bellinger will leave $20 million on the table if he chooses to reach free agency. However, he shouldn't have trouble landing a lucrative multiyear contract on the heels of a bounce-back season in 2025. Acquired from the Chicago Cubs in a salary-dumping trade last offseason, Bellinger's terrific all-around contributions helped the Yankees earn a playoff berth. Over 152 games and 656 plate appearances, Bellinger slashed .272/.334/.480 with 29 homers, 98 RBI, 89 runs scored, and 13 stolen bases. In the field, the 30-year-old former MVP combined for seven Outs Above Average and eight Defensive Runs Saved at all three outfield positions and first base.

Oct 10

Devin Williams • RP • Yankees

Devin Williams Says he's Open to Returning to the Yankees

New York Yankees right-handed reliever Devin Williams is eligible to become a free agent at the conclusion of this year's World Series, and it's unclear whether he'll be an option to re-sign. "I'm definitely open to that. Takes two parties for that, but I would definitely be open to it," Williams said when asked if he was open to coming back to the Bronx in 2026 and beyond. The 31-year-old's first season in pinstripes in 2025 didn't go as planned. The two-time All-Star and former National League Rookie of the Year finished the regular season with a career-worst 4.79 ERA (2.68 FIP) and 1.13 WHIP with 18 saves, 90 strikeouts, and 25 walks in 62 innings out of the bullpen. Williams was eventually replaced in the closer's role in the Bronx, but his 2.68 FIP shows that his surface numbers in 2025 were a bit unlucky. He could bounce back in 2026, but Williams' fantasy appeal as a closer might be better off if he signs elsewhere.

Oct 9

Aaron Judge • RF • Yankees

Aaron Judge to Need Offseason Elbow Surgery?

When asked about the injured elbow he dealt with this year, New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge (elbow) said, "We'll definitely do some work on it and get it right." When asked if that could mean having offseason surgery, Judge added, "I'm not a doctor. I don't know." Judge went on the 10-day injured list in late July due to a flex strain in his right elbow, but he spent the minimum number of days on the IL and returned to a designated hitter role in New York. The 33-year-old former MVP didn't return to right-field duties for a month, but he was able to play defense in the final few weeks of the regular season and for the two postseason series. Now that the Bombers are eliminated from the playoffs, Judge will focus on getting his elbow right for 2026. If he does go under the knife, the elite fantasy asset could be in danger of not being ready for Opening Day.

Oct 9

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