Carlos Lagrange Takes the Mound for Yankees' Home Opener Against Tigers
As the Yankees gear up for their home opener in the 2026 Grapefruit League, all eyes will be on Carlos Lagrange. After a tough outing against the Orioles in Sarasota, the Yankees return to George M. Steinbrenner Field, ready to face the Tigers.
Lagrange, a top prospect, is set to follow in the footsteps of Elmer Rodriguez, who delivered an impressive performance against the Orioles. Last season, Lagrange showcased his potential by striking out 168 batters over 120 innings between High-A and Double-A, boasting a 3.53 ERA and a 3.14 FIP. With a blistering 103 MPH fastball and a diverse arsenal of secondary pitches, he's quickly climbing the prospect rankings.
Today, Lagrange faces a Tigers lineup packed with talent, including familiar faces like Gleyber Torres, Jahmai Jones, Colt Keith, Jake Rogers, and Jace Jung. Adding to the challenge is Kevin McGonigle, Baseball America's no. 2 overall prospect, starting at shortstop and hitting second.
Lagrange has already turned heads in live bullpens, notably when he zipped a 102.6 MPH fastball past Aaron Judge. Now, he has the opportunity to prove himself against top-tier competition, with Yankees' front office personnel watching closely.
While Lagrange might not break into the Major Leagues straight out of camp, a strong spring performance could pave his way to Triple-A as the season begins.
The game kicks off at 1:05 PM EST in Tampa and will be broadcast on YES Network. Opposing Lagrange on the mound for the Tigers will be Keider Montero. It's set to be an exciting matchup as Lagrange looks to make his mark in this early test of the season.