Hours before opening the ALDS against the Royals, the Yankees released their roster for the best-of-five series.
With the series short and full of off days, the Bombers will carry 15 position players and 11 pitchers. Let’s take a look at who made the cut and who didn’t.
Catchers (2): Austin Wells, Jose Trevino
No hard decisions here, as the Yankees have a strong catching tandem in Wells and Trevino. Look for Wells to start more this postseason, as he also became the team’s cleanup hitter as the season progressed. While the rookie cooled off at the end, Aaron Boone said that he’s committed to keeping Wells in the four-hole this postseason.
Infielders (6): Oswaldo Cabrera, Ben Rice, Gleyber Torres, Anthony Volpe, Jazz Chisholm Jr., Jon Berti
With Anthony Rizzo (fractured fingers) ruling himself out for the ALDS, Rice and the versatile Cabrera are the Yankees’ primary options at first base. Berti, another utilityman, has been working there as well this past week.
At second, Torres has solidified himself as the team’s leadoff hitter, but his glove is a liability. Volpe is the opposite, providing Gold Glove defense at short but little at the plate.
Outfielders (6): Aaron Judge, Juan Soto, Alex Verdugo, Jasson Domínguez, Trent Grisham, Duke Ellis
After weeks of debate, Verdugo is expected to start in left over Domínguez in Game 1. Verdugo offers better defense after Domínguez misplayed a few balls following a late-season call up, but he is coming off the worst offensive season of his career.
With the Yankees going short on pitchers, there was room for the veteran Grisham, as well as the speedy Duke Ellis. The latter only played in three games for the Yankees this season; think of him as a designated pinch runner, which teams love to use in October.
DH (1): Giancarlo Stanton
Stanton is coming off a bounce-back season, and he’s delivered in the playoffs before. The DH has a .963 OPS, 11 home runs and 24 RBI over 27 postseason games.
Pitchers (11): Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodón, Luis Gil, Clarke Schmidt, Luke Weaver, Clay Holmes, Tommy Kahnle, Ian Hamilton, Jake Cousins, Tim Hill, Tim Mayza
With Cole and Rodón set to start the first two games of the series, Game 3 is down to Gil and Schmidt. However, either could be used in relief in the first two games.
As expected, Cousins is ready to go after ending the season on the injured list with a pec strain. The Yankees also chose to roster a second lefty, pairing Tim Mayza with the standout Tim Hill.
Marcus Stroman and Mark Leiter Jr. are the most notable absences from the Yankees’ ALDS pitching staff.
