Left-handed pitcher Ryan Yarbrough officially joined Team USA’s active roster for the World Baseball Classic on Sunday, stepping in for right-hander Joe Ryan, who is sidelined with back inflammation. This update came ahead of Team USA’s first pool play game, with Yarbrough bringing valuable experience to the team.
Yarbrough, 34, recently concluded his first season with the New York Yankees, compiling a 3-1 record with a 4.36 ERA over 19 appearances, including eight starts. He secured a one-year contract extension worth $2.5 million during the offseason. His addition marks the fourth Yankees player representing Team USA, alongside Aaron Judge, David Bednar, and Paul Goldschmidt.
Strong Yankees Presence Across Multiple National Teams
The Yankees organization is well represented at the World Baseball Classic, with 13 players participating internationally. Aside from those on Team USA, notable Yankees prospects and players will represent teams worldwide, such as Jazz Chisholm Jr. for Great Britain, Austin Wells, Camilo Doval, and Amed Rosario for the Dominican Republic, Fernando Cruz and Elmer Rodriguez for Puerto Rico, and José Caballero for Panama. This broad presence highlights the Yankees’ diverse talent pool competing on the global stage.
Yarbrough is anticipated to be a significant part of the Yankees’ Opening Day bullpen while also providing rotation depth behind the projected starters Max Fried, Cam Schlittler, Will Warren, Luis Gil, and David Weathers.
Team USA’s Pitching Staff and Joe Ryan’s Current Status
The United States squad’s pitching staff has strong performers leading the charge, including Paul Skenes and Tarik Skubal. Other notable pitchers are Logan Webb, Clayton Kershaw, as well as Mets pitchers Clay Holmes and Nolan McLean. Joe Ryan, meanwhile, who was removed from his first Spring Training start for the Minnesota Twins due to back inflammation on February 22, remains hopeful about pitching in the Classic later. However, he cannot rejoin the active roster unless Team USA advances beyond pool play.
The 29-year-old Ryan posted a 13-10 record with a 3.42 ERA last season and has recently completed a successful bullpen session. He is expected to face hitters in upcoming practices, with his recovery closely monitored by both Team USA and his MLB club.
Upcoming Exhibition Games and Spring Debuts
Before the World Baseball Classic officially begins, Team USA will hold exhibition games against the San Francisco Giants on Tuesday and the Colorado Rockies on Wednesday. Their first official WBC game will be on Friday against Team Brazil. Max Fried is slated to make his spring debut this week as the Yankees’ probable starter for Tuesday’s exhibition game against Team Panama at George M. Steinbrenner Field.
Fried, 32, had an impressive 2025 season, finishing with a 19-5 record, a 2.86 ERA, and 189 strikeouts over 195.1 innings. This season marks the first year of his eight-year, $218 million contract extension with the Yankees.
Ryan McMahon’s Unconventional Defensive Role Under Review
Yankees manager Aaron Boone revealed that Ryan McMahon, typically the team’s primary third baseman and an elite fielder at that position, will be tested at shortstop during exhibition games on Tuesday and Thursday. This move is part of the team’s effort to evaluate emergency options in response to injuries and roster flexibility needs.
McMahon has major league experience playing first and second base but has only two previous appearances at shortstop during his MLB career, both with the Rockies in 2020.
“I expect he’ll be fine there, as natural a fielder as he is, but we’ll see how it plays out a little bit,”
Aaron Boone, Manager
This evaluation will help the Yankees decide how to shape their bench for the season, especially with shortstop Anthony Volpe expected to miss the start of the year recovering from shoulder surgery.
Bench Composition and Player Roles Shaping Up
With Volpe sidelined, José Caballero is positioned to serve as the Yankees’ Opening Day shortstop. Veteran infielders Paul Goldschmidt and Amed Rosario are candidates for bench roles, with newly signed outfielder Randal Grichuk also appearing likely to secure a spot as a right-handed platoon bat.
If the coaching staff remains uncertain about McMahon’s ability at shortstop, alternative options such as utilityman Oswaldo Cabrera or infielder Max Schuemann could earn the final bench spot. Conversely, if McMahon adapts well, the Yankees might add a third catcher, potentially J.C. Escarra or outfielder Jasson Domínguez, the latter of whom would benefit from regular playing time at Triple-A given the crowded MLB outfield roster.
Injury Updates on Key Yankees Players
Cody Bellinger, who has been sidelined since February 26 with back tightness, is scheduled to participate in live batting practice on Tuesday and plans to rejoin the Yankees lineup on Thursday. Manager Aaron Boone reassured that Bellinger’s back issue is minor, a nagging condition he has struggled with before.
Meanwhile, slugger Giancarlo Stanton is preparing for his spring debut on Tuesday in the exhibition game against Team Panama. Stanton continues to manage inflammation in both elbows, commonly referred to as tennis elbow, through regular maintenance aimed at enabling him to compete effectively this season.
Ryan McMahon will get his first start at shortstop on Tuesday vs. Panama. “I expect he’ll be fine there, as natural a fielder as he is, but we’ll see how it plays out a little bit,” Aaron Boone said.
— Bryan Hoch ⚾️ (@BryanHoch) March 1, 2026
Cody Bellinger (back) showed improvement today. Aaron Boone said the plan is to have him go through live BP on Tuesday, then return to game action Thursday.
— Bryan Hoch ⚾️ (@BryanHoch) March 1, 2026
