The 2025 regular season for the New York Yankees begins on Thursday, as they face the Milwaukee Brewers in the Bronx. However, the team will be missing several key players due to injuries sustained during spring training, which have impacted the roster.
DJ LeMahieu has been sidelined since suffering a calf injury during his second at-bat of spring training on March 1. While he has started his recovery and is back to hitting, LeMahieu won’t be ready for the start of the season. He may go on a rehab assignment soon, but he is expected to miss at least another month as he works to get back into game shape after missing most of last season and the entirety of spring training.
While LeMahieu’s absence is notable, the Yankees’ biggest concerns lie on the pitching side. Left-handed reliever Tyler Matzek, who was signed to a minor league deal this offseason, is dealing with an oblique injury. He’s been out since February 25 but could be back by mid-April, providing the Yankees with an important bullpen arm.
In the starting rotation, Clarke Schmidt has also been dealing with injuries to his back and shoulder this spring. He was originally expected to return by April 3, but his rehab has been slow, and he’s starting the season on the injured list. Schmidt’s limited spring training action has delayed his readiness for the rotation, with Will Warren and Carlos Carrasco expected to fill in during his absence.
As the season begins, it seems unlikely Schmidt will be ready for at least another month, making it critical for Warren and Carrasco to step up and contribute until Schmidt returns. The Yankees will be hoping for positive updates on both Matzek and Schmidt as they navigate the early part of the season.
