Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Wednesday that Garcia could play some second base next season, and third base is a possibility, as well, YES Network reports.
Second base was Garcia's primary position for his first five major-league seasons, but he consistently graded as a poor defender and in 2026 made a full-time move to first base, where he graded out as above average. The Yankees have a clear opening at second base, and potentially third base, as well. While it seems unlikely Garcia would play either of those spots on a full-time basis, he could be used there enough to regain eligibility in fantasy leagues. Garcia slashed .277/.309/.521 with 30 home runs and 92 RBI over 147 regular-season games between the Nationals and Yankees in 2026. He will be eligible for salary arbitration for a final time this winter.
Yankees' Max Fried: No health concerns entering winter
Rotowire
Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Wednesday that Fried had his left elbow re-imaged and his UCL is in a good spot heading into the offseason, Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports.
Fried made two trips to the injured list this season due to a bone bruise in his pitching elbow. However, he ended the campaign healthy, and there are no concerns about the pitcher's ligament entering the winter. Fried was limited to 20 regular-season starts in 2026 but was highly effective when on the mound, logging a 2.80 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 104:33 K:BB over 112.2 innings. The 2027 season will be the third year of Fried's eight-year, $218 million contract.
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Yankees' Aaron Judge: Has follow-up exam on rib
Rotowire
Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said Wednesday that Judge has a follow-up exam scheduled with Dr. Gregory Pearl regarding his rib, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.
A calf strain prematurely ended his season, but Judge missed more than three months of action during the regular season with a stress fracture in his ribs. Cashman noted that the team feels like it's "in a good place" with Judge's injury and they expect the slugger to be ready to go for spring training. Barring any surprises, Judge should receive clearance from Dr. Pearl to go through his normal offseason workouts.
Yankees' Austin Wells: Believes blows to head had effect
Rotowire
Wells said earlier this month that he believes "the culmination of multiple blows to the head" affected his production in the first half, Brendan Kuty of The Athletic reports.
Wells took a foul tip to the mask April 23 and another one two weeks after that. While he was able to pass concussion testing, the catcher had symptoms and eventually landed on the 10-day injured list in early June with cervical headaches. Wells felt healthy after returning and had a .787 OPS with eight home runs after the All-Star break (as compared to a .504 OPS and six home runs in the first half). The 27-year-old is currently slated to open the 2027 campaign as the Yankees' top catcher, though it's possible the team seeks help from outside the organization.
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