An early look at the Yankees’ ALDS roster: Who makes the cut?

The Yankees are still determining their roster for the American League Division Series (ALDS) against the Rays. Manager Aaron Boone met with the media during a workout day and provided limited information on potential rosters, including Aaron Judge and Ryan Weathers. Despite some uncertainty, Boone mentioned that both Judge and Weathers are expected to be available for the ALDS.

In the starting rotation, Gerrit Cole is set to start Game 1, marking his first postseason start for the Yankees since 2024. Cam Schlittler and Max Fried are expected to start in Games 2 and 3, respectively, while Carlos Rodón could also start in either Game 3 or Game 4. Max Fried earned the win to secure the Yankees' spot in the Division Series and is likely to start Game 3.

For position players, there are several promising young players who made an impact in the Wild Card Series. George Lombard Jr. had a strong series, going 4-for-8 with three runs and displaying a swing reminiscent of Derek Jeter. Spencer Jones and Trent Grisham also earned their spots in the lineup due to their strong performances.

As for Giancarlo Stanton, it is likely that he will be a pinch-hitter rather than a starting player due to the roster constraints. Cody Bellinger is expected to be a consistent contributor in both defense and batting.