The New York Yankees are navigating a bumpy road as Opening Day creeps closer. Injuries have been piling up like rush hour traffic, and it’s starting to feel like the team’s roster decisions are shifting daily.
We already knew there were question marks at third and second base, but now Giancarlo Stanton’s elbows are causing concern. DJ LeMahieu is nursing a calf strain, and the lineup has some glaring holes.
That’s opening the door for some unexpected names—like Dominic Smith—to possibly make the roster. Unfortunately, the Yankees are still scrambling to find a reliable right-handed bat.
Dominic Smith’s Roster Chances Are Rising
Smith is a non-roster invitee, but has been swinging the bat well this spring. His performance might just earn him a spot he probably didn’t expect when he walked into camp. With Stanton and LeMahieu sidelined, the Yankees need depth, and Smith’s strong performance makes him a real candidate.
But the Yankees aren’t stopping there. Erik Boland of Newsday and Andy Martino of SNY both report that the team is actively searching for a right-handed hitter to help fill the void.
Yankees Send Pereira Down Despite Promising Spring
In a move that raised some eyebrows, the Yankees just sent outfielder Everson Pereira down to Triple-A despite him showing some promise in Grapefruit League action. Pereira went 7-for-20 with two home runs, and with injuries mounting, it seemed like he might stick around. Instead, he’s headed to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
Let’s talk about Pereira for a second. The kid has talent—he hit .265/.346/.512 in Triple-A last season—but he also missed a huge chunk of the year recovering from Tommy John surgery. And while he put up solid numbers this spring, his 28% strikeout rate might have made the Yankees hesitant to rely on him just yet.
So, for now, he’s off to Triple-A to get regular at-bats, though there’s a good chance we’ll see him back in the Bronx before long.
Free-Agent Market and Last-Minute Roster Moves
So, where does that leave the Yankees? Well, the free-agent market isn’t exactly overflowing with exciting options. Whit Merrifield, Adam Duvall, and Robbie Grossman are still out there.
None of them are coming off particularly great seasons, though Grossman hit well from the right side. The Yankees have at least checked in J.D. Martinez, but with Stanton already locked into the DH spot (assuming he’s healthy), Martinez isn’t an easy fit.
But don’t think this is the final roster just yet. The end of spring training always brings roster cuts, opt-outs, and small trades as teams finalize their Opening Day squads.
That means some intriguing names could become available in the coming weeks, giving the Yankees another shot at adding a much-needed bat without breaking the bank.
Where Does That Leave the Yankees?
At least Gerrit Cole’s 2025 salary is partially covered by insurance while he recovers from injury. That won’t lower the Yankees’ luxury tax number, but it could free up some financial flexibility for an addition before Opening Day.
So, for now, the Yankees are playing the waiting game—hoping for health, keeping an eye on the market, and figuring out how to patch the holes in their lineup before Opening Day.
