For a team that is trying to do everything they can to win the World Series, things are not going great for the New York Yankees. Recently, the team announced that their star pitcher, Gerrit Cole, will undergo surgery after he experienced some discomfort. This isn’t the first time, though; Cole had experienced problems in his elbow last season too. The Cy Young winner will undergo Tommy John surgery in the Cedars-Sinai Kerlan-Jobe Institute. 

Despite having these problems last season, Cole was a major part of the team that almost became World Series champions. Cole went on to start 17 regular-season games. He was on the mound during the Los Angeles Dodgers’ incredible comeback in Game 5 of the World Series, which helped them win the title. Now that he will need surgery, Opening Day for the Yankees looks a little lost with so many players on the IL list. 

That list includes Luis Gil, who will be out for the Yankees for at least three months due to a strained lat muscle. Infielder DJ LeMahieu is out due to a strained calf, and designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton is out indefinitely due to tendon soreness in both elbows. In a chat with WFAN Sports Radio, newly acquired first baseman Paul Goldschmidt was asked what the mood is in the clubhouse with all the injury news that keeps on coming. 

Goldschmidt said, “Yeah I mean, so we feel for those guys but the truth is there’s injuries all across the league and every team’s going to deal with it. We’re going through a little bit right now. The guys that are healthy, the 26 of us, you know on Opening day or the 40-plus guys throughout the year that moving around like we still have to do our job. We can pick up the slack. Hopefully those guys will heal quickly.” After losing so many players, many are now questioning what the New York Yankees’ roster will look like on Opening Day. 

The battle for spots on the 26-man roster is heating up  

Key players like Paul Goldschmidt are looking to make an impact right out of the gate. The 2022 NL MVP, who signed a one-year deal in December, has shown signs of resurgence with a strong finish to his 2024 season, making him a pivotal piece for the Yankees’ lineup. While Goldschmidt will anchor first base, the Yankees are set to feature a mix of young talent and veteran experience, including the dynamic duo of Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Anthony Volpe in the middle infield.

Outfielders are also making their mark, with Jasson Domínguez, aka “The Martian,” aiming to earn his spot in the Opening Day lineup. Although Domínguez has had some shaky moments defensively in spring training, his overall talent is undeniable, and it’s hard to imagine the Yankees leaving him off the roster. Alongside him, Aaron Judge is primed for a return to right field, while Cody Bellinger will take on the bulk of the work in center field. With Trent Grisham providing depth and Everson Pereira ready to offer a powerful right-handed bat against left-handed pitchers, the outfield promises to be a dynamic mix of power, speed, and versatility.

On the mound, the Yankees are navigating some challenges in their rotation, especially with the loss of ace Gerrit Cole and the absence of Luis Gil. Max Fried, fresh off a massive contract, is likely to take the Opening Day start, with Marcus Stroman, Carlos Rodón, Clarke Schmidt, and Will Warren rounding out the rotation. Meanwhile, the bullpen is shaping up to be a formidable force, anchored by new closer Devin Williams, a two-time NL Reliever of the Year. With key arms like Luke Weaver, Ian Hamilton, and Fernando Cruz, who boast the highest strikeout rate in the majors.

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