Randal Grichuk Makes Yankees Opening Day Roster for 2026 Season

TAMPA, Fla. – Veteran outfielder Randal Grichuk has secured a spot on the New York Yankees’ Opening Day roster, manager Aaron Boone announced Saturday. The decision comes as the Yankees finalize their roster ahead of the 2026 season, and involves several other player movements, including the optioning of infielder/outfielder Oswaldo Cabrera to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Grichuk, 34, signed a minor league contract with the Yankees last month, valued at $2.5 million for the 2026 season. His inclusion on the roster provides an experienced bat, particularly effective against left-handed pitching, according to Boone. Throughout his 12-year Major League career, Grichuk has amassed 212 home runs and a career .251 batting average.

In 2025, Grichuk split time between the Arizona Diamondbacks and Kansas City Royals, batting .228 with nine home runs and 27 RBIs in 113 games. He has previously played for the St. Louis Cardinals (2014-17), Toronto Blue Jays (2018-21), Colorado Rockies (2022-23), and Los Angeles Angels (2023).

The move to option Cabrera to Triple-A is partly due to his recovery from a severe left ankle injury sustained in 2025, which limited his spring training appearances to seven games. The Yankees wish to provide Cabrera with regular playing time to regain his form.

In addition to Cabrera, the Yankees reassigned infielder Paul DeJong and utilityman Seth Brown to minor league camp, and optioned infielder Max Schuemann to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. This series of moves appears to solidify the Yankees’ bench, which now includes catcher J.C. Escarra, first baseman Paul Goldschmidt, and infielder/outfielder Amed Rosario, alongside Grichuk.

Grichuk’s career statistics demonstrate a notable split in performance against right-handed and left-handed pitchers, with a .819 OPS against lefties compared to a .733 OPS against righties. This specialized skill set was a key factor in his selection for the Opening Day roster.