Williams earned the save Thursday after giving up one run on two hits and a walk in the ninth inning to close out a 4-2 win versus the Brewers. He struck out two. The All-Star closer's debut with the Yankees was almost disastrous, as nearly blew a three-run lead against his former team. Williams loaded the bases before recording out No. 1 via a sacrifice fly, and he then proceeded to strike out Jackson Chourio and Christian Yelich to end the game. Friday's team off day will provide some much-needed rest after throwing 36 pitches, but such a heavy workload could also affect Williams' availability for Saturday.
Wells went 1-for-3 with a solo home run and a walk during Thursday's 4-2 win against the Brewers. The 25-year-old led off for the Yankees by taking advantage of the short porch in right field, with his 348-foot shot being the first time in MLB history that a catcher has hit a leadoff homer on Opening Day, per Sarah Langs of MLB.com. Wells' .229 average during his first full MLB season in 2024 doesn't make him an obvious candidate to bat atop the lineup, but his 11.7 percent walk rate sets him up to potentially be a quality table setter.
Rodon (1-0) earned the win Thursday versus Milwaukee, striking out seven and giving up one run on four hits and two walks over 5.1 innings. The left-hander generated 13 swinging strikes and six groundball outs on 89 pitches, with the only damage against him coming via a solo homer by Vinny Capra during the third inning. Rodon had some command issues during spring training with six walks and two wild pitches in 10 frames, but he was more in control during his season debut. A matchup with the Diamondbacks likely awaits next week for his second start of 2025.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Thursday that Schmidt (shoulder) is expected to rejoin the rotation "in the middle of the month," Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports. Schmidt has appeared fully recovered from his rotator cuff tendinitis for a while and just needs to continue getting stretched out at this point. He will need to make a rehab start, but Schmidt seems to be tracking toward a season debut sometime during the Yankees' April 11-16 homestand.
Manager Aaron Boone said Thursday that Matzek (oblique) is trending toward returning from the injured list in April, Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports. Boone said that Matzek "isn't far behind" fellow reliever Ian Hamilton (infection) in his recovery and noted that the latter is expected back in early April. However, Matzek doesn't own a spot on the Yankees' 40-man roster, so he'll almost certainly be sent down to Triple-A once he's healthy.
Manager Aaron Boone said Thursday that Hamilton (infection) is expected to return in early April, Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports. Hamilton was placed on the injured list Wednesday (retroactive to Monday), and Boone's comments suggest that the 29-year-old righty will be able to return to the bullpen when eligible April 8. The Yankees will presumably look to use him in a few minor-league games before then, and he's likely in line for middle-relief duty once he returns.
The Yankees placed Cousins (forearm) on the 60-day injured list Thursday. A forearm strain prevented Cousins from seeing any action in the Grapefruit League this spring, and the Yankees' decision to immediately send him to the 60-day IL indicates that he isn't anywhere close to making his season debut. The right-hander won't be eligible to play until late May; meanwhile, camp standout Pablo Reyes will fill the vacancy on the active roster.
The Yankees selected Reyes' contract from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Thursday. Reyes earned his spot on the Yankees' Opening Day roster through an excellent performance in the Grapefruit League, slashing .311/.418/.467 with five RBI, eight runs scored and two stolen bases through 55 plate appearances. He figures to come off the bench most days while in the Bronx, but his ability to play every position in the field improves his chances of occasionally cracking the starting lineup. Jake Cousins (elbow) was placed on the 60-day IL in a corresponding move.