Yankees items to settle entering the last full week of spring training

TAMPA, Fla. – Clarke Schmidt’s sudden shoulder discomfort became Sunday’s crisis at Yankees camp, where the injuries – especially to the pitching staff – have piled up at an alarming rate.

Spring training is in the wrap-up stage, but the Yankees still have a few things to settle before exiting the Sunshine State on March 25.

And that includes finding if Schmidt’s condition is something manageable, or something that might further delay his start to the 2025 season.

As the Yankees enter this final, full week of camp, here’s what is on the agenda:

Yankees’ final rotation spot(s)

Scratched from his scheduled Monday exhibition start, Schmidt is instead due for a bullpen session.

And if that goes sideways, the Yankees might need two starters instead of one more to open the season.

Rookie Will Warren and non-roster veteran Carlos Carrasco have been chiefly competing for the rotation vacancy created by Gerrit Cole’s elbow injury.

Both right-handers have pitched well (as has non-roster righty Allan Winans) and Carrasco has the leverage of opting out by Saturday; as a free agent, he’d be likely to find a quick landing spot.

Even before Schmidt’s latest setback, Carrasco and Warren had a chance to both make the roster; Schmidt was already delayed one turn to start the season due to a back issue, causing the Yanks to slow-play his start to camp.

But an injury to Schmidt would be both cruel and devastating, with Luis Gil (lat strain) likely out until July, and Cole gone until mid-2026 following Tommy John surgery last week.

Who’s on third for the Yankees?

At this point, it would be surprising if switch-hitting Oswaldo Cabrera was not the regular choice at third base.

Out of minor league options, Oswald Peraza could stick as a defensive-plus backup infielder if he’s not included in a deal for a pitcher or a right-handed hitting outfielder.

DJ LeMahieu might not be in the picture until May, due to a calf injury, though the Yankees simply can’t count on him being a productive option going forward.

Yankees’ final bullpen spots

Spring training injuries to several relievers have created some opportunities.

Jake Cousins (forearm), Tyler Matzek (oblique), Scott Effross (hamstring), Clayton Beeter (shoulder) and Jonathan Loaisiga (elbow rehab) won’t be ready to start the season.

A week after experiencing a “slight back spasm,” Mark Leiter Jr. is scheduled to resume pitching in an exhibition game Wednesday.

“Physically, I felt good,” said Leiter Jr., who opted for a bullpen session Sunday morning instead of throwing live BP. If this were the regular season, the right-hander said “I’m extremely confident” he’d be pitching in a game.

Currently, six other relievers (Devin Williams, Luke Weaver, Fernando Cruz, Ian Hamilton, Tim Hill, Yoendrys Gomez) are either naturals or in good position to land a spot, though Hamilton bears watching due to a recent illness.

Non-roster right-handers Colten Brewer and Geoff Hartlieb and right-handers Yerry De los Santos and Brent Headrick (both on the 40-man roster) remain in the bullpen mix.

Yankees’ backup catcher and designated hitter

There’s a chance that both JC Escarra and Ben Rice make the cut.

They have similar profiles as lefty-hitting catchers with power who can also play first base, though the soon-to-be-30-year-old Escarra has yet to play in the majors.

Rice debuted last summer, showing some flashes of the hitter he’s projected to be. This year, Rice arrived at camp having added some muscle to his 6-foot-2 frame over the winter.

Indefinitely sidelined due to tendinitis in both elbows, Giancarlo Stanton’s absence creates more DH opportunities for both Rice and Escarra against right-handed pitching.

In camp, non-roster catcher Alex Jackson has big-league experience and the advantage of being a right-handed batter, but he’s yet to display any threat as a hitter.

Yankees’ lineup configuration

Somehow in over a century, the Yankees have never used a catcher in the leadoff spot.

That’s about to change, with Austin Wells firmly in the conversation as manager Aaron Boone’s leadoff choice – especially against right-handed starters.

“I’ve really liked him in that spot, I think he profiles well for it,” said Boone, believing Wells can “be pretty dynamic” at leadoff. “But I can still envision a number of guys being in that role.”

Batting first on Sunday, Wells led off with a double and scored on Cody Bellinger’s double in a 4-3 split squad game loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates at Steinbrenner Field.

Aaron Judge figures to bat second, ahead of the lefty-hitting Bellinger, with Paul Goldschmidt and Jazz Chisholm Jr. possibly in the Nos. 4-5 spots. Giancarlo Stanton (tendinitis, both elbows) is out indefinitely.

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