New York Yankees are set to open the 2026 MLB season with a lineup closely resembling the one from their American League Division Series elimination in October 2025, according to a recent Fox News Digital interview with former Yankees pitcher CC Sabathia. The team added just two players from outside the organization to its 26-man roster during the offseason: outfielder Randall Grichuk and pitcher Ryan Weathers.[1]
Sabathia, a Hall of Famer who won the 2009 World Series with the Yankees, expressed support for the strategy, emphasizing the potential impact of key pitchers returning to health. "I think having a chance to get Gerrit Cole back (from Tommy John surgery), have Carlos Rodon healthy for a season, getting Clarke Schmidt back (from TJ) would be huge," Sabathia said.[1][2] Gerrit Cole underwent Tommy John surgery on September 30, 2024, with an expected return in the second half of 2026.[2] Clarke Schmidt had Tommy John surgery on April 15, 2024.[3]
Sabathia, who will serve as a color commentator for the Yankees' visit to the San Francisco Giants on opening day at Oracle Park, highlighted the broadcast as a personal milestone. The game will be streamed exclusively on Netflix as part of MLB's new partnership.[4] A Vallejo, California native and left-handed starter during his 19-year career, Sabathia often attended Giants games at Candlestick Park as a child.
Discussing Yankees captain Aaron Judge, Sabathia drew parallels to Alex Rodriguez's career arc. Judge went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts in the 2023 World Baseball Classic final.[5] Sabathia noted that sustained postseason success, like Rodriguez's in 2009, could quiet critics.
The Yankees won 94 games in 2024, capturing the AL East before falling in the World Series to the Los Angeles Dodgers.[6]
Sources
- Fox News Digital. "Don't tell the New York Yankees this, but the New York Yankees are running it back." Accessed January 2026. https://www.foxnews.com/sports/dont-tell-new-york-yankees-new-york-yankees-running-back
- MLB.com. "Gerrit Cole undergoes Tommy John surgery." September 30, 2024. https://www.mlb.com/news/gerrit-cole-undergoes-tommy-john-surgery
- MLB.com. "Yankees' Clarke Schmidt undergoes Tommy John surgery." April 15, 2024. https://www.mlb.com/news/clarke-schmidt-undergoes-tommy-john-surgery
- MLB.com. "Netflix, MLB announce streaming partnership for 2026 season." December 17, 2024. https://www.mlb.com/news/netflix-mlb-streaming-partnership-2026
- MLB.com. "Team USA falls to Japan in World Baseball Classic final." March 21, 2023. https://www.mlb.com/news/team-usa-falls-to-japan-in-wbc-final
- MLB.com. "2024 MLB Standings." Accessed 2025. https://www.mlb.com/standings/2024
