@garyhphillips.bsky.social
Yankees beat writer for the New York Daily News
Want to read about the #Yankees bringing in Randal Grichuk after midnight? Well, you're in luck...
26.02.2026 05:18 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
Another ep of The Bronx Beat coming at ya!
Among the topics @ryangarciaesm040.bsky.social & I discussed:
⚾️ José Caballero & the SS position
⚾️ Some tweaks from Will Warren & Jake Bird
⚾️ The #Yankees' bullpen battle
⚾️ Some spring training beat writer happenings
After a barrage of ABS disputes in Tuesday's spring game, Aaron Boone said the #Yankees want to be "aggressive" with their challenges. They also "want to be the best at it."
"We’ve been preaching around here long enough about controlling the strike zone."
You may not have noticed, but Will Warren looked a little different today. That's because he unveiled a new tweak on the rubber.
The #Yankees' righty explained the change and the reasoning behind it:
Aaron Judge said getting to pick the brains of other Team USA stars will be the best part of the World Baseball Classic, so I asked him which of his temporary teammates he's most excited to chop it up with.
The #Yankees/USA captain has 3 at the top of his list:
“I control what I can control," José Caballero said when asked about Anthony Volpe.
With Aaron Boone once again noting that Caballero brings value to a reserve role, can the #Yankees' utilityman assert himself at SS while Volpe is sidelined?
Aaron Boone said the sewage issues at GMS impacted some "sensitive areas" in the #Yankees' clubhouse & created some long-term issues. But it should be business as usual moving forward after the team had to hold pregame workouts at Himes on Sunday.
22.02.2026 19:57 — 👍 3 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 1
The #Yankees’ spring home opener was a real shit show, and not just because the #Tigers surrendered 20 runs.
“It’s spring training for the toilets, too,” a spokesperson said as sewage water leaked across parts of GMS, including the Bombers' clubhouse.
“It’s great to feel great, but I don’t think it makes me want to accelerate," Gerrit Cole said of his rehab after facing live hitters — and nearly throwing 97 mph — for the first time since undergoing Tommy John surgery. #Yankees
21.02.2026 16:42 — 👍 5 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 0
“Obviously, it didn’t go very well,” Jake Bird said of his disastrous first impression with the #Yankees.
But the RP, overused by the #Rockies, is now armed with a revamped cutter and tweaked sinker as he fights for a spot in the Bombers' bullpen:
Facing some MLB hitters, Elmer Rodríguez posted a strong line in the #Yankees' exhibition opener.
"Big fan," Aaron Boone recently said of the pitching prospect... "When I watch him, I look at him and think, ‘That guy’s gonna be a starter in this league for a long time.’"
Check it out: a new ep of The Bronx Beat!
@ryangarciaesm040.bsky.social & I discuss Ryan McMahon's new stance, what the #Yankees like about Angel Chivilli, Anthony Volpe's rehab, Elmer Rodríguez, Austin Wells & baseball's labor worries, and some mailbag questions!
In another encouraging step, Gerrit Cole faced live hitters for the first time since his Tommy John surgery. Better yet, he sat in the mid-90s & topped out at 96.9 mph.
“Thought he was sharp,” Matt Blake said. “Good life. Good to get the first one under his belt.” #Yankees
Ryan McMahon had the fourth-widest stance in baseball last season. Don't expect that in 2026.
With the #Yankees looking to "unlock" more offense from their third baseman, McMahon is turning to a narrower stance. Here's what went into the decision:
Angel Chivilli was shocked to learn that the #Yankees wanted him, and that they had prior interest.
So what exactly do the Bombers like about a reliever who had a 7.06 ERA last season, and what do they hope to get out of him?
“We think we can help him get better, because he’s got a lot of talent."
#Yankees union player rep Austin Wells discussed Tony Clark's abrupt resignation & baseball's looming labor battle.
“We don’t want that," the catcher said of a possible lockout, but he added players are "prepared to do what we have to.”
A new ep of The Bronx Beat is out!
In this one, @ryangarciaesm040.bsky.social & I discuss Carlos Lagrange's impressive start to camp (which goes beyond his fastball), Aaron Judge's comments on the offseason, the outlook for Jasson Domínguez & Spencer Jones, and more!
“The point of being a Yankee is being a champion. So there’s always going to be a stain there without that.”
On Giancarlo Stanton's "incomplete" story with the #Yankees:
Anthony Volpe is keeping a "chip" on his surgically repaired shoulder as the #Yankees' shortstop prepares to begin a pivotal fourth season on the IL.
17.02.2026 22:12 — 👍 2 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
Like a lot of fans, Aaron Judge was antsy over the #Yankees' inactivity during the early parts of the offseason. He called the wait "brutal."
But unlike some diehards, he's happy with the end result & that the club is running it back.
"I love it."
Ha, thanks for reading!
16.02.2026 15:09 — 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
As other youngsters wow in #Yankees camp, Chase Hampton is trying to rebuild his stock.
“There’s still a lot of reason to be excited as he gets closer to being back to full bore," Aaron Boone said of the former top-100 prospect & Tommy John patient:
It's been a minute since the #Yankees committed big money to a free agent RP, but Brian Cashman said “there’s not an organizational policy" against such spending.
A look at the Bombers' aversion to expensive bullpen arms amid some relief uncertainty:
With vets clogging the #Yankees' OF, Brian Cashman said everyday reps are in Jasson Domínguez's "best interest" — which could mean a demotion — and that Spencer Jones is currently "blocked."
Both youngsters discussed their situations & offseason work this morning:
Carlos Lagrange's triple-digit heat & raw skills aren't the only parts of his profile that have the #Yankees buzzing.
There's also the intangibles.
“He thinks like an ace,” Preston Claiborne said. “He prepares like an ace, and that’s what he wants to be."
Carlos Rodón couldn't button his shirt by the time the 2025 season ended. Yet he kept pitching with an elbow that ached all season. For years, actually.
Now that it's surgically repaired, the #Yankees' southpaw is hoping for an April return.
"I would concede it’s in his best interest to be getting everyday reps,” Brian Cashman said of Jasson Domínguez, but the #Yankees can't offer that in the majors as things stand.
That could mean a demotion for The Martian.
“He looked like a Cy Young pitcher," Austin Wells said.
“He looked like Gerrit Cole,” Aaron Boone added after the Tommy John recipient's first pen of the spring impressed onlookers.
Cole was also pleased, but he's not getting ahead of himself. #Yankees
A new ep of The Bronx Beat is out, and it features our first guest: @chriskirschner.bsky.social!
We talked about Cam Schlittler's inflammation, a bunch of #Yankees notes from the early days of camp, and what this time of year is like from a reporter's perspective.
