
The New York Yankees are figuring out their roster as Opening Day looms closer and closer. Now, it looks like the decision may have gotten a bit easier, with two players optioned to the triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders.
According to a post from the team on social media, outfielder Spencer Jones was optioned along with right-handed pitcher Elmer Rodriguez. Both players were also reassigned to minor-league camp, though they are also both expected to have their major league debuts this season, per MLB.com.
Prior to tonight’s game, the Yankees optioned OF Spencer Jones and RHP Elmer Rodríguez to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and reassigned them to minor league camp.
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) March 9, 2026
Jones is the sixth ranked prospect in the Yankees farm system, down three spots from his final ranking in 2025. In the third place position now is Rodriguez, up from eighth place last year. While Rodriguez is considered the 82nd best prospect, Jones does not make the list.
While Yankees fans have been fired up about Jones since he slashed .274/ .362/.571 and hit 35 home runs between the double- and triple-A last season, his performance can be inconsistent. In 18 at-bats through major league Spring Training thus far, Jones has hit three home runs, but struckout six times. While he is likely to still make his debut this season, the Yankees have sufficient outfield depth to allow him to continue to develop.
Rodriguez, who threw a 2.58 between three minor-league teams last season, has impressed in the two games and six innings he started during major league camp. While he allowed two earned runs during a game against the Atlanta Braves, he also threw four strikeouts.
Both prospects will have the opportunity to be promoted throughout the season.
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