Yankees Launch Spring Training vs. Orioles

The New York Yankees launched their Grapefruit League schedule on Friday with an exhibition game against the Baltimore Orioles at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota, Florida, marking the start of their spring training campaign ahead of the regular season opener on March 25 in San Francisco.

Top pitching prospect Elmer Rodríguez took the mound for the Yankees in the 1:05 p.m. EST contest, his first appearance of the spring. The 23-year-old right-hander, ranked as the organization's No. 3 prospect, posted a 2.58 ERA across 26 starts in the minors last season, spanning High-A, Double-A and Triple-A levels. Originally selected in the first round of the 2021 MLB Draft by the Boston Red Sox, Rodríguez was acquired by the Yankees in the 2024 offseason trade. After a challenging Triple-A debut last year, he enters camp having added muscle to his frame and featuring a potent fastball, positioning him as a potential major league contributor later in the season.

The Yankees' starting lineup featured several key players getting early reps, including catcher Austin Wells, shortstop Jose Caballero, second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. and utility infielder Amed Rosario. With regular shortstop Anthony...