New York Yankees unveil lineup for MLB Opening Night 2026: Cody Bellinger headlines
The New York Yankees have a new opportunity to fight for the MLB title; their first game will be against the SF Giants on Opening Night.
The New York Yankees have a fresh opportunity to contend for the World Series title in Major League Baseball. The players who were called up for the World Baseball Classic have already rejoined the club and are getting ready for the Bronx Bombers’ first game of the season.
This time next week.
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) March 19, 2026
Max on the mound. #RepBX pic.twitter.com/aMddqoT2ID
The Yankees made a significant financial commitment to keep a strong lineup intact by securing outfielder Cody Bellinger, who signed a five-year contract worth $162.5 million. Bellinger’s deal included a $20 million signing bonus, a full no-trade clause and opt-outs after the second and third seasons.
As for his production, Bellinger posted a .272/.334/.480 slash line with 29 home runs, 98 RBIs and 13 stolen bases in 152 games. In the outfield, he also totaled 12 defensive runs saved.
The 2026 MLB season officially opens ONE WEEK from tonight!
— MLB (@MLB) March 19, 2026
The @Yankees take on the @SFGiants on Wednesday, March 25 at 8 pm ET on @netflix, with special pregame coverage starting at 7 pm ET! pic.twitter.com/hglmmXmQjw
MLB action returns this Wednesday, March 25, with Opening Night, a matchup that promises plenty of excitement, as the New York Yankees visit the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park. They will look to get off to a strong start and return to the spotlight after being eliminated by the Toronto Blue Jays in the American League Division Series last season.
Yankees’ lineup for Opening Day 2026
- Trent Grisham | CF
- Aaron Judge | RF
- Cody Bellinger | LF
- Ben Rice | 1B
- Giancarlo Stanton | DH
- Jazz Chisholm Jr. | 2B
- Austin Wells | C
- José Caballero | SS
- Ryan McMahon | 3B
- Starting pitcher: Max Fried | LHP
The players expected to come off the bench are Randal Grichuk (OF), Paul Goldschmidt (1B), JC Escarra (C) and Amed Rosario (UTIL). In addition, Venezuelan utility man Oswaldo Cabrera was assigned to the minor leagues.
The Yankees have officially informed Randal Grichuk he has made the team.
— Everything Yankees (@eyyankees) March 21, 2026
The Yankees bench to begin the season:
OF Randal Grichuk
1B Paul Goldschmidt
C JC Escarra
UTIL Amed Rosario
Case to be made this is the Yankees best bench in the last decade. pic.twitter.com/5iewgczWjd
Yankees’ projected rotation at start of season
- Max Fried, Wednesday, March 25 in SF
- Cam Schlittler, Friday, March 27 in SF
- Will Warren, Saturday, March 28 in SF
- Ryan Weathers, Monday, March 30 at SEA
- Max Fried, Tuesday, March 31st at SEA
Yankees rotation to start the season, per @M_Marakovits:
— Talkin' Yanks (@TalkinYanks) March 22, 2026
Max Fried Wednesday at SF
Cam Schlittler Friday at SF
Will Warren Saturday at SF
Ryan Weathers Monday at SEA
Max Fried Tuesday at SEA
Yankees will use a four-man rotation to begin the season because of the off days pic.twitter.com/gdh1z7lIZi
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