As they prepare to open up their 2026 season against San Francisco Giants, New York Yankees have two final spring training matches against Chicago Cubs set for Mesa, Arizona this Monday and Tuesday starting at 3:05 p.m. Both matches begin in Mesa at the Mesa Athletic Park.
Gerrit Cole will begin pitching again soon following Tommy John surgery and should work about two innings on Tuesday as part of the pitching lineup, followed by lefty Ryan Weathers as part of their lineup.
The Yankees plan to start the regular season with a four-man rotation that currently includes left-hander Max Fried along with right-handers Cam Schlittler, Will Warren, and Weathers. The team is still considering how to best incorporate Luis Gil into this rotation.
Gil will remain in Tampa for live batting practice on Wednesday while discussions continue regarding a potential assignment to the minors. If he remains with the major league club, the coaching staff might use him in a piggyback pitching role. Although Gil has faced challenges during spring training, he ended his last outing on a positive note.
Injury updates include shortstop Anthony Volpe, who is managing a left shoulder issue and is expected to begin rehab games in mid-April. Volpe has expressed confidence that returning in April is “definitely” possible.
Carlos Lagrange Earns Rookie Honors
The Yankees recently recognized Carlos Lagrange as the most outstanding rookie of spring training. Despite the difficult decision to send him down, his strong performances stood out. At 22 years old, Lagrange posted an impressive 1-0 record with a 0.66 ERA across 13.1 innings in four appearances, striking out 13 batters while allowing just two runs on six hits, including one home run.
Lagrange shared his spring training experience, noting how confidence had increased by being part of such a strong team. He highlighted the value of pitching confidently while having teammates who can support defensive plays and help facilitate defensive plays from teammates. Currently regarded as the Yankees top pitching prospect and holding No. 2 overall position behind infielder Greg Lombard Jr, Lagrange holds his position well as an active prospect with their organization.
Note: Please be aware that this summary relies solely on publicly accessible information and reflects recent updates regarding the Yankees spring training progress.