Yankees’ projected 2026 Opening Day lineup and rotation as spring training begins
After a playoff exit to the Blue Jays, New York enters camp with Cody Bellinger locked in and championship expectations back in the Bronx.
The New York Yankees are set to report to spring training on Feb. 20, and expectations are already building in the Bronx. After falling to the Toronto Blue Jays in the American League Division Series last October, the Yankees enter 2026 with a clear mission: get back to the top of the American League and make a deeper postseason run. With a reinforced roster and a familiar core, the Bronx Bombers believe they have the pieces to do it.
Yankees lock in Cody Bellinger with blockbuster deal
One of the biggest storylines of the offseason was the Yankees’ commitment to outfielder Cody Bellinger. The former MVP agreed to a five-year, $162.5 million contract that solidifies the middle of New York’s lineup for years to come.
The deal includes a $20 million signing bonus, a full no-trade clause and opt-out provisions after the second and third seasons, giving Bellinger flexibility while ensuring the Yankees land one of the most coveted bats on the market.
Bellinger was heavily pursued by several high-profile teams, including the New York Mets, Los Angeles Dodgers, San Francisco Giants and Toronto Blue Jays. Ultimately, the Yankees won the sweepstakes.
Bellinger’s impact at the plate and in the field
Bellinger is coming off a strong season in which he slashed .272/.334/.480 with 29 home runs, 98 RBIs and 13 stolen bases across 152 games. Beyond his offensive production, he also delivered elite defense, posting 12 defensive runs saved in the outfield.
His combination of power, athleticism and postseason experience gives the Yankees another dynamic presence in a lineup built to compete with the American League’s best.
With pitchers and catchers set to report and Opening Day on the horizon, here’s a look at the Yankees’ projected 2026 Opening Day starting lineup.
| Position | Player | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | CF | Trent Grisham |
| 2 | RF | Aaron Judge |
| 3 | LF | Cody Bellinger |
| 4 | 1B | Ben Rice |
| 5 | DH | Giancarlo Stanton |
| 6 | 2B | Jazz Chisholm Jr. |
| 7 | 3B | Ryan McMahon |
| 8 | SS | José Caballero |
| 9 | C | Austin Wells |
While the rotation for the start of the season would look like this:
| Profile | Player | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | LHP | Max Fried |
| 2 | RHP | Cam Schlitler |
| 3 | RHP | Will Warren |
| 4 | LHP | Ryan Weathers |
| 5 | RHP | Luis Gil |
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