With spring coaching and the World Baseball Basic proper across the nook, the Yankees are making ready for a number of of their gamers to depart camp in order that they’ll practice with their respective international locations for the worldwide event.
Proper fielder Aaron Choose is the membership’s most notable WBC participant, as he’ll captain Crew USA. Nearer David Bednar can be suiting up for the celebrities and stripes, as is former Yankees starter and present particular assistant Andy Pettitte. He’ll be Crew USA’s pitching coach.
Then there’s Puerto Rico, which spent the weekend contemplating withdrawal from the WBC after a handful of gamers bumped into insurance coverage points. Earlier than the crew’s federation started mulling that, highly-touted pitching prospect Elmer Rodríguez was named to the roster. His participation was contingent on him being a starter, because the 22-year-old didn’t wish to deviate from the routine that the Yankees have him on.
Reliever Fernando Cruz additionally stays on the Puerto Rican federation’s listing of curiosity.
Nice Britain could have a couple of Yankees, together with second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr., pitching prospect Brendan Beck, and director of catching/main league area coordinator Tanner Swanson. Swanson will function the Brits’ bench coach.
Reliever Camilo Doval, in the meantime, plans to pitch for the Dominican Republic. He’ll be joined by Yankees utilityman Amed Rosario.
Yankees bench coach Brad Ausmus has been tabbed to handle Crew Israel. Minor league reliever Harrison Cohen will accompany him.
Then there’s Crew Italy, which is being managed by ex-Yankee Francisco Cervelli. One other former Bombers backstop, Jorge Posada, will probably be on his teaching workers.
With MLB Community set to announce official rosters for all 20 WBC groups on Feb. 5, different Yankees with recognized curiosity within the event embrace catcher Austin Wells (Dominican Republic) and utilityman José Caballero (Panama).
Outfielder Cody Bellinger just lately mentioned that he’s unlikely to play for Crew USA after signing a brand new take care of the Yankees, although he want to sooner or later. Max Fried beforehand turned down an invitation to play for Crew USA as nicely, however the Yankees will nonetheless have quite a lot of absences in camp.
Whereas the size of these absences will rely upon how nicely a participant’s nation does within the WBC, the event ought to create extra alternatives for younger gamers, names on the backend of the Yankees’ 40-man roster and non-roster invitees this spring.
The Yankees, in the meantime, must hope that their WBC individuals keep away from the damage bug whereas away from the crew, particularly with their beginning second baseman, prime two relievers and the reigning American League MVP all enjoying.
Choose, for one, battled a flexor pressure towards the top of final season that restricted his throwing. Nevertheless, Aaron Boone just lately mentioned that Choose is doing nicely and that his offseason throwing program is forward of schedule in anticipation of the WBC.
One other Reunion?
With the Yankees nonetheless in search of a right-handed bench bat, a supply confirmed that the membership supplied Austin Slater a serious league deal earlier this offseason. The 2 sides have stored in contact, although a couple of different groups have proven curiosity within the free agent outfielder.
The Athletic’s Brendan Kuty first reported that the Yankees had made a proposal to Slater.
The Yanks acquired the 33-year-old from the White Sox earlier than the commerce deadline final summer season, however he solely performed in 14 video games for New York on account of a hamstring pressure. Slater owns a 119 wRC+ towards lefties for his profession and wouldn’t command common enjoying time with Choose, Bellinger and Trent Grisham projected to begin for the Yankees.
Slater shouldn’t be the one right-handed bench bat the Yankees can add, as outfielder Randal Grichuk and first baseman Paul Goldschmidt, who spent the 2025 season with the crew, additionally stay on the free agent market. The Yankees wouldn’t thoughts including a righty-swinging catcher, both, although that might be more durable to return by.
Robertson Retires
David Robertson, who pitched for the Yankees and Mets, introduced his retirement after 17 seasons on Friday. The 40-year-old was the final lively main leaguer from the Yankees’ 2009 championship crew.
The proper-handed Robertson ended his profession with a 2.93 ERA and 179 saves. He first pitched for the Yankees from 2008-2014 after which once more from 2017-2018.
