The Yankees obviously have Aaron Judge, Gerrit Cole, and Jazz Chisholm Jr. preparing for the regular season. All are established All-Stars, with Judge fresh off his second AL MVP in three seasons. This year’s Yankees spring training also features some of the greatest players to ever wear the pinstripes.

Judge took Cole deep for one of his patented left-field home runs, according to Hoch. The Yankees play the Boston Red Sox on Monday afternoon but neither veteran will be in the lineup. Cole is not expected to pitch until the next turn in the rotation. And Judge won't play until March 1.

The New York Yankees have dropped their ban on beards, 49 years after it was imposed by owner George Steinbrenner.

Shortly after failing to cover first base in Game 5 of the World Series against the Dodgers, Cole opted out of what was remaining of the nine-year, $324 million deal he signed in December 2019. Cole presented the Yankees with the option to add a year to the deal worth $36 million or he would become a free agent.

Gleyber Torres, who signed with the Detroit Tigers in the offseason after seven seasons with the Yankees, told reporters Friday that he was surprised by the decision but understood that a number of players still with the team would like to grow out their facial hair more than what was previously allowed.

Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner said the organization will allow "well-groomed beards" effective immediately, changing a rule his father, George, established in 1976.

Max Fried and Gerrit Cole are two very different pitchers on the mound but alike in their talent and drive to succeed.

“The only information we were offered, from (Yankees general manager Brian) Cashman, was that we’re not trying to look like Duck Dynasty. No diss against Duck Dynasty. You’re grinding in the woods all the time, you don’t really have another option. But that was the only clarification we got.”