TAMPA - As the Yankees gear up for their annual Spring Breakout game this Saturday, fans will notice a key prospect missing from the lineup. Dax Kilby, one of the organization's rising stars, is sidelined due to a hamstring issue.
Kilby's absence was confirmed when his name didn't appear on the finalized Spring Breakout roster. Kevin Reese, the Yankees’ VP of player development, explained that Kilby, who was initially expected to play, is experiencing hamstring tightness. “We didn’t want to push him,” Reese noted.
Despite the setback, Kilby's injury doesn't seem severe. He was spotted taking live batting practice at the Yankees’ player development complex, a promising sign for his swift return.
The Yankees snagged the 19-year-old in the first round last year, picking him 39th overall from Newman High School in Georgia. Kilby quickly impressed in Single-A Tampa, boasting a .353/.457/.441 slash line with two doubles, two triples, nine RBIs, and 16 stolen bases over 19 games. Although he didn't hit any home runs, his performance secured him a spot among the top-100 prospects for 2026.
Baseball Prospectus ranks him 40th, Baseball America places him 61st, and MLB.com lists him 94th overall and fourth in the Yankees’ system.
Kilby isn't the only top prospect missing the game designed to showcase the Yankees' future stars. While George Lombard Jr., the top prospect on MLB.com, will play, Nos. 2 and 3, pitchers Carlos Lagrange and Elmer Rodríguez, are sitting out after pitching earlier in the week. Lagrange, who had a standout spring, is set to pitch Monday in Arizona as the Yankees wrap up spring training.
Other notable absentees from the Spring Breakout roster include RHP Ben Hess (No. 5), OF Spencer Jones (No.
6), RHP Bryce Cunningham (No. 7), RHP Chase Hampton (No. 8), and RHP Thatcher Hurd (No.
9). Jones has been a regular in this game, while Hampton and Hurd are on the mend from Tommy John surgery.
In other Yankees news, Paul DeJong has opted to stay with the team, declining to exercise his opt-out from a minor league deal. DeJong, a veteran infielder, has more opt-out opportunities in the future but feels at home with the Yankees. “This is where I want to be,” he said, expressing his desire to see how things develop.
DeJong's path to the Opening Day roster is challenging, especially with Ryan McMahon set as the backup shortstop. The Yankees also have versatile players like Oswaldo Cabrera and Max Schuemann on the 40-man roster, though they may not match DeJong’s hitting prowess. Cabrera is recovering from a serious ankle injury from last May.
Meanwhile, Clarke Schmidt is making strides in his recovery from Tommy John surgery. He's targeting mid-April to begin bullpen sessions, contingent on his ongoing rehab progress.