One week — and one West Coast trip — into the season, the Yankees return to The Bronx for today’s home opener with a few things fairly clear: Their rotation — even without the injured Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodón and Clarke Schmidt — appears formidable. And Ben Rice could be the left-handed offensive force they’ve been searching for.
For a team that was surrounded by the phrase “Running it back,’’ things are off to a promising start.
Here’s a look at the key questions entering the season and how they have unfolded through the first six games, leaving the Yankees 5-1.
Can Rice handle first base?
After starting 41 games at first for the Yankees in 2024, Rice was in the lineup there 46 times last season. But the Yankees made clear they are all in on him at the spot this season, with Paul Goldschmidt expected to be limited to starts against left-handers, and even then, Rice should get more at-bats versus lefties in ’26.
The power has never been in question for Rice, but the Yankees were looking for more consistency.
So far, Rice has provided it.
His walk rate has jumped and strikeouts dropped, and as one AL scout noted, Rice hasn’t hit the ball in the air much this season.
While Rice hit into some bad luck in ’25, as his expected numbers were higher than the ones he posted — which is why the Yankees were optimistic for more growth at the plate — he’s making up for at least some of that misfortune in the early part of this year.
Where there remains disagreement is on defense.
Rice showed improvement at first base last year and has again this season — especially in decision-making — but his footwork can be clunky.
“I’d be more worried about his glove if I didn’t think he could be such a threat at the plate, but he keeps getting better,’’ the scout said. “And I think he can at least be average defensively. If he’s hitting like he’s been the past year or so, you’ll live with some hiccups on defense.”
As for hitting lefties, Rice has just three plate appearances against them through his first five games — with Goldschmidt starting the only game with a lefty starter.
Good start
Through six games, four Yankees starters have combined to allow just two earned runs.
At some point, Cole and Rodón will join the rotation alongside Max Fried and Cam Schlittler. As good as that foursome is, it could leave Will Warren, Ryan Weathers and Clarke Schmidt all available as the fifth starter later in the season if everyone stays healthy.
And the Yankees are high on a handful of their top pitching prospects, with Carlos Lagrange and Elmer Rodríguez potentially knocking on the door at some point, perhaps in bullpen roles.
Bullpen
The Yankees have been waiting for the 2023 version of Camilo Doval and would like him to get there as the primary setup man for David Bednar. He’s displayed a nasty sinker, but ran into his first trouble of the season in Wednesday’s win in Seattle after three straight impressive outings to start the year.
Jake Bird might turn into a weapon, but a National League scout said he’d be surprised if Bednar, Bird and Doval remain in their current roles throughout the season.
“I like his guts, but Bednar in a big spot would still make me nervous,’’ the scout said.
Left side of the infield
Ryan McMahon arrived from Colorado at last year’s trade deadline with a tremendous glove and too many strikeouts.
Not much has changed, even after offseason changes to his swing.
McMahon is 1-for-15 with two walks and seven strikeouts. If the rest of the lineup clicks, they could afford below-average offense at third, but they’ll need more from McMahon, regardless.
And José Caballero, as well as Amed Rosario, certainly appear better suited to utility roles, as the Yankees wait for Anthony Volpe to get back from offseason shoulder surgery.
Until that happens — and Volpe shows his defensive issues from last season are gone — expect questions to remain about the left side of the infield.
