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The New York Yankees lineup will look slightly different in 2026.
The New York Yankees are gearing up for another MLB season and the starting lineup is expected to look very similar to 2025. Yet, there are still notable changes fans are likely to see on Opening Day.
Perhaps the biggest positions to watch for New York is first base and third base. MLB.com projects a change at first base with Ben Rice getting the nod in 2026.
This means that despite re-signing with the Yankees, former MVP and 7-time All-Star Paul Goldschmidt is likely to begin the season on the bench.
“Paul Goldschmidt re-signed in early February, setting up a potential first-base platoon with Rice,” MLB.com detailed in a March 22, 2026, story titled, “Projected Opening Day lineups and rotations for every team.”
“Amed Rosario could also be in line to play third base against most left-handed starters.”
Here’s what you need to know about the latest Yankees news.
7-Time All-Star Paul Goldschmidt on Yankees 1B Ben Rice: ‘He Definitely Has the Potential to do Great Things’
MLB.com projects Rice will bat fourth for the Yankees to start the season. Center fielder Trent Grisham is expected to lead off the lineup followed by right fielder Aaron Judge and left fielder Cody Bellinger in the top-three spots.
Here is how MLB.com projects the remaining starting lineup and batting order: No. 5 designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton, No. 6 second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr., No. 7 third baseman Ryan McMahon, No. 8 shortstop Jose Caballero and No. 9 catcher Austin Wells. Regardless of his role, Goldschmidt is eager to mentor Rice heading into the new season.
“Thinking back to early in my career, the more experience you get over there, the better you get,” Goldschmidt said of Rice back in February, per MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch. “We were working last year a lot over there, taking grounders around the bag.
“Hopefully he’ll continue to improve and get better at all facets of the game. He’s a very smart player, and a very hungry, hard worker. He definitely has the potential to do great things.”
Aaron Boone on Yankees Ahead of Opening Day: ‘It’s Been a Very Good Spring for Us’
The Yankees starting pitching rotation is mostly solidified. New York will start Max Fried, Cam Schlittler, Will Warren and Ryan Weathers as a four-man rotation on the mound.
“I think for the most part, I feel like it’s been a very good spring for us as far as overall health, guys getting the right amount of reps and things, some of our young guys pushing for roles and real playing time are looking the part,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone noted on March 22, per New York Post’s Greg Joyce. “Like the place that our depth’s in right now. Feel like we can withstand some things and still flourish. But we’ll see now.”
The Yankees will start the season kicking off MLB’s new partnership with Netflix. New York takes on the San Francisco Giants on Wednesday, March 25, at 8:05 p.m. Eastern on Netflix in the lone MLB game to start the season.
Fried will take the mound for the Yankees on Opening Day.
Jonathan Adams is a veteran sports contributor covering the NFL, NBA and golf for Heavy.com. His work has been prominently featured on NFL.com, Yahoo Sports, Pro Football Talk, CBS Sports, Bleacher Report and Sports Illustrated. More about Jonathan Adams
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