TAMPA, Fla. — The Super Bowl confetti has barely settled, and just like that, the baton has been passed. Football takes its bow, baseball grabs the mic, and the long wait is officially over.
This week marks the start of spring training, two of the most hopeful words in the sport. Clean slates. Fresh uniforms. Spring on the horizon. Wildly optimistic depth charts. For the New York Yankees, it all begins once again in Tampa, Florida, where George M. Steinbrenner Field becomes home for the spring.
Pitchers and catchers report first, position players follow soon after, and before long, Grapefruit League games will be underway. The crack of the bat is back in daily rotation, and the season’s first real questions start demanding answers.
Spring training is where jobs are won, depth is tested, and surprises unfold every year, especially in Yankees camp, where competition never takes a day off. It’s familiar, a little chaotic, and full of possibility. Baseball has the floor now, and here’s what Yankees fans should be watching closely.
What’s Still in Question? A Lot.
Does Jasson Domínguez open the year in the Bronx, or does he head back to Triple-A? Is he firmly part of the Yankees’ future, or potential trade conversations? Does Spencer Jones finally force his way onto the Opening Day roster?
One of the most intriguing battles in camp centers on the outfield, where roster flexibility is tight and opportunity is scarce. With veterans Trent Grisham and Cody Bellinger returning in pinstripes, there’s limited room for young talent to break through. That reality puts a spotlight squarely on Domínguez and Jones, the Yankees’ No. 4 prospect, who may find themselves competing for a backup outfield role.
Domínguez enters camp with something to prove after a difficult 2025 on both sides of the ball, while Jones, one of the organization’s most intriguing prospects, arrives expected to push the issue and force uncomfortable but necessary decisions. With a veteran-heavy group and the grind of the AL East looming, health and consistency will ultimately dictate how this puzzle comes together. Either way, it’s an outfield competition worth tracking from day one.
Infielders to Watch
Paul DeJong (2019 National League All-Star)
Paul DeJong is a power-oriented veteran infielder who has spent the bulk of his career providing pop from the right side and dependable defense up the middle. Over his MLB career, he owns more than 130 home runs, has multiple 20+ homer seasons, and posted a career-best .857 OPS during his All-Star campaign in 2019. Defensively, DeJong has logged extensive innings at shortstop and third base, consistently grading out as an above-average defender with a strong arm and solid range. Offensively, DeJong’s profile has always leaned toward power and pull-side damage, with strikeouts part of the package, but he remains a threat to change a game with one swing. In recent seasons, he’s been deployed more as a platoon bat and depth infielder, offering right-handed power, infield versatility, and postseason experience, traits that continue to make him a useful roster option in the right role.
George Lombard, Jr. (Yankees No. 1, MLB No. 32 Prospect)
George Lombard Jr. is one of the Yankees’ most exciting position-player prospects, combining athleticism, defensive versatility, and an advanced approach well beyond his years. Still just a teenager for much of last season, Lombard spent 2025 facing older competition and held his own while climbing to Double-A, showing flashes of impact despite the growing pains that come with aggressive assignments.
Offensively, Lombard finished the year with eight home runs, 35 stolen bases, and an on-base profile driven by elite plate discipline, leading the Yankees’ system with 87 walks. His bat speed and added strength point to power still coming, while his ability to control the strike zone gives him a high floor. Defensively, Lombard is a plus defender across the infield, capable of playing shortstop, second, and third, and his instincts and athleticism continue to stand out. The tools, patience, and versatility make him a cornerstone-type prospect with everyday upside.
Pitching Depth Will Be Tested Early
With Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodón, and Clarke Schmidt all expected to open the season on rehab timelines, pitching depth immediately becomes a focal point. Their absences put pressure on the rest of the staff and open the door for spring standouts to force their way into the conversation, particularly Ryan Weathers, who figures to play a role early. The 26-year-old lefty, acquired from the Marlins, posted a 3.99 ERA and 1.28 WHIP over 38⅓ innings last season despite injuries, and if healthy, he gives the Yankees a legitimate early-rotation option with upside.
One name to watch closely is Paul Blackburn, who quietly provided valuable length last season. Six of his eight appearances lasted longer than an inning, and spring training could be used to stretch him out as rotation insurance. Even if he doesn’t crack the starting five, Blackburn profiles as a multi-inning weapon, similar to the role Luke Weaver carved out in 2024, capable of bridging games and protecting the bullpen.
The Yankees are also high on Jake Bird, an acquisition they were particularly excited about at last year’s deadline, with his performance in more defined bullpen situations set to be closely evaluated. Brent Headrick is another arm firmly in the mix, as the organization believes his fastball can continue to miss bats in shorter stints.
Add in the uncertainty surrounding Rule 5 pick Cade Winquest, who must prove he can stick on the active roster, and the bullpen picture opens up even more. Winquest will be competing alongside Angel Chivilli, a hard-throwing right-hander acquired from the Rockies, while Dom Hamel could also work his way into the mix as a depth option. For a team navigating injuries at the top of the rotation, spring training won’t just be about fine-tuning, it may decide who carries meaningful innings and stabilizes the staff through the season’s opening weeks.
Other Arms to Watch This Spring
Carlos Lagrange, RHP (Yankees No. 2, MLB No. 79 prospect)
Standing 6-foot-7 with a fastball that touches triple digits, Lagrange took a major leap in 2025. He posted a 3.53 ERA and 1.20 WHIP across 24 appearances, 23 starts, reached Double-A, and racked up 168 strikeouts in 120 innings.
Elmer Rodríguez, RHP (Yankees No. 3, MLB No. 97 prospect)
Rodríguez put together a breakout season across three levels, finishing with roughly a 2.58 ERA, a 29% strikeout rate, 176 strikeouts, and a .192 opponents’ average over 150 innings. That performance earned him a late Triple-A look and a spot on the 40-man roster.
Bryce Cunningham, RHP (Yankees No. 5 prospect)
Despite an injury-marred year, Cunningham flashed upside early with a 2.14 ERA through his first seven outings. If he can stay healthy, his physical frame, riding fastball, and high-spin changeup give him breakout potential.
Ben Hess, RHP (Yankees No. 6 prospect)
Hess quickly justified his first-round selection, striking out 139 batters over 103⅓ innings in his first pro season. He held opponents to a .177 average, posted a 2.70 ERA and 0.95 WHIP, and showcased a deep four-pitch mix that looks ready for the next level.
Key Spring Training Dates
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February 11 – Pitchers and catchers report
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February 12 – First pitchers and catchers workout, free and open to the public
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February 15 – Position players report
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February 16 – First full-squad workout
Full Game Schedule
Spring Storylines to Circle on the Calendar
Spring training brings more than just workouts this year, it brings a packed slate of marquee moments. Subway Series energy arrives early, with the Mets visiting George M. Steinbrenner Field on Feb. 22 before the Yankees head to Port St. Lucie on March 8. The Panama national team stops by on March 3 for a World Baseball Classic tune-up, while division familiarity is unavoidable, as every AL East rival visits Tampa throughout the spring.
And in a true throwback twist, the Yankees will head west for the first time in 75 years, playing spring exhibitions in Arizona against the Chicago Cubs in Mesa on March 23 and 24. The trip marks their first spring games in the state since 1951, when they briefly swapped training sites with the New York Giants, before the road ultimately leads to Opening Day on March 25 in San Francisco.
