Injury Log (Plenty of additions now that rosters are finalized)
Notes:
Tomorrow begins the chaotic portion of the minor league season as all four affiliates are scheduled to play.
Add another pitcher to the cut list, as the Yankees released RHP Cole Ayers, who was recovering from Tommy John surgery. Cutthroat business, eh? The 26-year-old was the Yankees’ 16th-round pick in 2021. His best season was 2024, when he posted a 3.36 ERA between Somerset and Hudson Valley with a 78/26 K/BB over 64.1 innings. In four minor league campaigns, he posted a 3.91 ERA in 186.1 innings with 215 strikeouts.
The most notable addition to the injury log is RHP Bryce Cunningham. He spent some time on the injured list in 2025, but tossed some innings late in the season before going to the Arizona Fall League. Hopefully, they are bringing him along slowly, and there isn’t a major issue.
As for the roster assignments, I try not to read too much into them. RHP Rory Fox, RHP Ben Grable, and LHP Pico Kohn, who have yet to make their professional debuts, will make their debuts with Hudson Valley. They were 2025 draftees. LHP Xavier Rivas, who had a hot finish to his 2025 campaign, will begin his 2026 journey in Somerset.
A lot of people (including me) have been drooling over Dax Kilby. Another 2025 draftee (Jackson Lovich) also impressed in his debut campaign. He went 14-for-22 with four doubles and two triples. Last year’s 16th-round pick doesn’t get the respect of Kilby because he is much older (22) and, while he is still listed as a shortstop, he played first base in all six of his starts – someone to put in the back of your mind. Both players will begin in Tampa.
Scranton (2-3) (Lost to Rochester, 3-1. Wow, a classic game, this was not – though they did load the bases in the 9th inning at least)
CF Spencer Jones: 0-for-4, 3 K
“But, but, but Spring Training!” Jones is now 4-for-20 with a double, a home run, two walks, and 12 strikeouts. I know I sound the alarm often, but how can I not? How much longer are we going to rely on his athleticism to try to convince ourselves that things will change? I hope they do. I don’t want to see any prospect fail. But we need proof that things are turning around.
2B Max Schuemann: 0-for-3, BB
LF Oswaldo Cabrera: 1-for-3, BB, K
In five games, Cabrera has appearances at first base, shortstop, left field, and right field.
RF Yanquiel Fernandez: 0-for-3, BB, K
PR Duke Ellis: 0-for-0
SS Paul DeJong: 0-for-3, SF, RBI, 2 K
C Ali Sanchez: 0-for-4, 2 K
1B Ernesto Martinez Jr.: 0-for-3, 2 K
DH Payton Henry: 0-for-2, BB, K
2B Jonathan Ornelas: 1-for-3, 2B (1), K
RHP Elmer Rodriguez: (L, 0-1) 5 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 2 K (71 pitches/41 strikes)
Rodriguez featured his 6-pitch mix, peaking at 95.6 MPH. 11 of his 29 sinkers resulted in called strikes (plus one whiff), and he only used it against right-handed batters. Additionally, his 4-seamer velocity went from 95.1 MPH in the first inning to 92.5 in his fifth inning. Is any of this meaningful? Not really, as it was his first start and he had a long layoff between his last spring appearance and tonight. His outing overall was fine.
RHP Harrison Cohen: 1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 1 K
Cohen generated four whiffs (on seven swings) with his cutter.
RHP Kervin Castro: 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
Castro allowed both of Cohen’s baserunners to score.
Somerset (0-0)
They start their season on Friday.
Hudson Valley (0-0)
They start their season on Friday.
Tampa (0-0)
They start their season on Friday.