Yankees announce roster for ALCS vs. Guardians: Marcus Stroman, Anthony Rizzo back

NEW YORK – The New York Yankees announced their 26-man roster for the American League Championship Series against the Cleveland Guardians on Monday morning.

Game 1 is scheduled for 7:37 p.m. at Yankee Stadium. Yankees lefty Carlos Rodón (0-1, 9.82 ERA) faces righty Alex Cobb (0-1, 6.00 ERA).

Position players

Austin Wells, C

Jose Trevino, C

Anthony Rizzo, 1B

Jon Berti, UTIL

Oswaldo Cabrera, UTIL

Gleyber Torres, 2B

Anthony Volpe, SS

Jazz Chisholm Jr., 3B

Jasson Dominguez, LF

Alex Verdugo, LF

Aaron Judge, CF

Juan Soto, RF

Giancarlo Stanton, DH

Trent Grisham, OF

Pitchers

Gerrit ColeRHP

Carlos RodonLHP

Luis GilRHP

Clarke SmithRHP

Luke WeaverRHP

Tommy KahnleRHP

Jake CousinsRHP

Ian HamiltonRHP

Clay HolmesRHP

Tim HillLHP

Tim MayzaLHP

Marcus Stroman, RHP

Stroman returns

The Yankees entered the ALDS with 15 position players and 11 pitchers, but were unable to use that strategy in the best-of-seven ALCS. For one thing, they only used three starting pitchers in the ALDS; They will use four in the ALCS. They have already announced their starters for the first four games of the series: Carlos Rodón, Gerrit Cole, Clarke Schmidt and Luis Gil.

The Yankees entered the ALDS looking at Schmidt or Gil as possible long relievers. Ultimately, they chose Schmidt while not using Gil in any of the four games against Kansas City. With both set to start in this round, the Yankees needed someone who could provide length out of the bullpen, which Marcus Stroman can do. The Yankees had Stroman take live batting practice last week to keep him fresh and keep his pitch count high in case he is needed in the ALCS. However, it’s still likely Stroman won’t see the mound unless the Yankees have to fill a lot of low-leverage innings.

Nestor Cortes threw a 20-pitch bullpen session Sunday while trying to recover from a flexor strain in his left arm, but the risk was too great to rush his recovery so quickly. Mark Leiter Jr., the team’s key pitching addition at the trade deadline, did not remain on the roster after the season. In the event of an injury to a reserve player in the squad, Leiter would likely be the first choice as a replacement. — Kirschner

Rizzo back

Anthony Rizzo was a surprise.

The New York Yankees first baseman broke the ring and pinky finger of his right hand when he was hit by a pitch in the penultimate game of the regular season. But he appears to have recovered enough to be an option for the Yankees, who started Oswaldo Cabrera and Jon Berti at the position in the ALDS. Rizzo, a veteran, won a World Series with the Chicago Cubs in 2016. He knows what it takes to go the distance.

However, it is unclear how the Yankees plan to use Rizzo. He wasn’t seen hitting on the field at practice on Sunday, although he did do some defensive work. Cabrera had relatively little experience at first base entering the postseason, and for Berti, Game 2 of the ALDS was the first time he played there in a game that counted. But both players performed well defensively and had solid shots. Rizzo had another poor season at the plate, posting a .247 OPS with a .660 OPS in 22 games in September.

The Yankees had rookie first baseman Ben Rice and pinch runner Duke Ellis on their ALDS roster, but they didn’t make it this time. Jason Domínguez and Berti now become the Yankees’ top pinch-running threats. — Kuty

(Top photo by Marcus Stroman: Elsa/Getty Images)