The Yankees have wrapped up their 2026 spring training in Florida and are gearing up for the new season, set to kick off on Wednesday. But before they head to San Francisco for Opening Day, they've made a quick detour to Arizona for a couple of exhibition games against the Cubs.
It's not uncommon for teams to venture out of their usual spring training spots as the regular season approaches, but it's a rare sight to see the Yankees playing in Arizona. The last time they trained in Phoenix was way back in 1951, during a one-year swap with the New York Giants.
As the Yankees fine-tune their lineup, today’s roster looks like a preview of what we might see when the games count. With a lefty on the mound for the Cubs, Paul Goldschmidt and Amed Rosario are getting the nod, while the rest of the lineup features the regular starters.
On the mound for the Yankees is Carlos Lagrange. While he might not crack the major league roster in the immediate future, he's earned this opportunity after an impressive spring, highlighted by winning the James P. Dawson Award as the top Yankees rookie in camp.
Facing the Yankees is left-hander Shota Imanaga. After a stellar rookie season in 2024, Imanaga had a bit of a sophomore slump last year and has been searching for consistency this spring. The Cubs are fielding a strong lineup as well, featuring their new acquisition, Alex Bregman.
Unfortunately, fans won't be able to catch this game on TV, as it's a radio-only broadcast. But rest assured, once the regular season kicks off, the full spectacle will be back on screen.
First pitch is set for 3:05 pm ET.