Trending Now - Yankees Add Veteran Outfielder Randal Grichuk to Roster
WHO:
Bryan Hoch, Senior Reporter for MLB.com, has covered the Yankees since 2007.
Randal Grichuk, 34-year-old veteran outfielder
Aaron Boone, manager of the New York Yankees
Oswaldo Cabrera, infielder/outfielder optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre
Paul DeJong, infielder reassigned to minor league camp
Seth Brown, utilityman reassigned to minor league camp
Max Schuemann, infielder optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre
George Lombard Jr., Yankees' top prospect
Kaeden Kent, Yankees' No. 13 prospect
Pico Kohn, Yankees' No. 10 prospect
Kyle Carr, Yankees' No. 11 prospect
WHAT:
Grichuk's contract includes three standard opt-out dates, with the first set for the weekend of March 21st, 2026.
Grichuk posted a .313 OPS across 16 plate appearances in Grapefruit League games.
Aaron Judge, Trent Grisham, and Cody Bellinger are set as New York’s starting outfield.
Giancarlo Stanton will primarily be utilized as a designated hitter but may also play some outfield.
Randal Grichuk has made the New York Yankees' Opening Day roster.
Grichuk's Major League contract is valued at $2.5 million.
Grichuk had a .228 batting average, .273 on-base percentage, nine home runs, and 27 RBIs in 113 games during the 2025 season.
Grichuk owns a career .251 batting average, .298 on-base percentage, 212 home runs, and 629 RBIs over 12 MLB seasons.
The Yankees' bench will include J.C. Escarra, Paul Goldschmidt, Amed Rosario, and Grichuk.
George Lombard Jr. had three extra-base hits, six walks, and six RBIs in 33 plate appearances during Grapefruit League play.
The Yankees' Spring Breakout game will be played on March 21st against a team of top Braves prospects.
WHERE:
Yankees camp in Tampa, Florida
Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre
George M. Steinbrenner Field
WHEN:
The Yankees' first game of the season is scheduled for March 25th, 2026.
Grichuk was informed of his roster spot on March 19th, 2026.
The Spring Breakout event will be held from March 19th to March 22nd, 2026.
The Yankees' Spring Breakout game is scheduled for March 21st, 2026.
WHY:
The Yankees want Jasson Dominguez and Spencer Jones playing every day in Triple-A rather than being on the major league roster.
Grichuk's inclusion on the roster provides the Yankees with an experienced bat capable of impacting left-handed pitching.
Oswaldo Cabrera is being optioned to recover from a severe left ankle injury that ended his 2025 season.
HOW:
Spring Breakout rosters were constructed in two phases, with a preliminary 40-man player pool submitted on March 5th, 2026, and official rosters finalized on March 18th, 2026.
Roster decisions were made based on player performance during Spring Training and Grapefruit League play.
(UPDATED March 21, 2026 23:02 UTC)
In a recent update from MLB.com, senior reporter Bryan Hoch shared that the Yankees' outfield will feature Aaron Judge, Trent Grisham, and Cody Bellinger, while Giancarlo Stanton is expected to serve primarily as a designated hitter. Notably, Randal Grichuk's contract includes three opt-out dates, with the first coming this weekend, and he has posted a .313 OPS in his 16 Grapefruit League appearances. As the Yankees prepare for their first game of the season on March 25, they are focusing on allowing Jasson Dominguez and Spencer Jones to play every day in Triple-A instead of being on the major league roster.
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(UPDATED March 21, 2026 21:02 UTC)
In a significant roster move, the New York Yankees have officially added veteran outfielder Randal Grichuk to their Opening Day lineup, with his Major League contract valued at $2.5 million. Grichuk, who had a .228 batting average and nine home runs last season, will join a bench that includes notable players like Paul Goldschmidt and Amed Rosario. Meanwhile, Oswaldo Cabrera has been optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to recover from a severe ankle injury, as the Yankees prepare for their Spring Breakout game today against a team of top Braves prospects.