Who Are the 27 Names the Yankees Invited to Spring Training?

The Yankees didn’t make a big announcement. No dramatic rollout. No spotlight.

But buried in the spring training paperwork is a list that matters more than people realize: 27 non-roster invitees heading to Tampa for 2026 Major League Spring Training.

The Yankees have invited 27 non-roster players to 2026 Major League Spring Training: pic.twitter.com/ZDB0oYqCuc

— New York Yankees (@Yankees) February 5, 2026

This isn’t filler. This is competition.

Every February, at least one name from a list like this forces the Yankees to pay attention. Sometimes it’s a bullpen arm that won’t stop missing bats. Sometimes it’s a utility guy who just refuses to make outs. Sometimes it’s depth that turns into necessity faster than expected.

Let’s break down who’s coming to camp — and why this group isn’t just along for the ride.

Catchers: Spring Training Survival Mode

The Yankees invited four catchers, and that’s as much about workload as it is evaluation.

Abraham Gutierrez
Payton Henry
Miguel Palma
Ali Sánchez

Spring training eats catchers alive. Bullpen sessions, split squads, back fields — you need bodies. But don’t confuse that with irrelevance. Defensive consistency, arm strength, and game-calling still get noticed, especially when pitchers are trying to impress.

Infielders: Depth With Consequences

This group is more interesting than it looks.

Paul DeJong
George Lombard Jr.
Jonathan Ornelas
Zack Short

Paul DeJong is the headline here — a veteran presence with real big-league experience — but the rest of the group matters for different reasons. Middle-infield flexibility, defensive reliability, and right-handed balance always travel well in camp.

Spring training doesn’t reward flash. It rewards competence.

Outfielders: Speed, Defense, Insurance

Kenedy Corona
Duke Ellis

These invites scream profile roles. Speed, routes, late-inning defense — the stuff that wins games in April when rosters are stretched thin. If either of these guys shows polish in camp, they’ll stay on the radar longer than expected.

Infield / Outfield Hybrids: The Yankees’ Favorite Type

Seth Brown
Marco Luciano
Ernesto Martínez Jr.

Versatility keeps you employed. Period.

The Yankees love players who can bounce between spots without looking lost. These are the names competing for roster math, not headlines. One clean spring can turn a “camp body” into a real option.

Pitchers: Where the Real Opportunity Lives

This is the largest group — and not by accident.

RHP Michael Arias
RHP Brendan Beck
LHP Kyle Carr
RHP Harrison Cohen
RHP Carson Coleman
RHP Dylan Coleman
RHP Alexander Cornielle
RHP Yovanny Cruz
RHP Drake Fellows
RHP Bradley Hanner
RHP Ben Hess
RHP Adam Kloffenstein
RHP Carlos Lagrange
RHP Travis MacGregor

This is where spring training turns serious fast.

Velocity jumps. New pitches. Command improvements. One clean inning after another. The Yankees will watch closely — especially with bullpen depth always under review.

Every year, someone from a list like this forces their way into the conversation. Not because of reputation — but because results leave no choice.

Why This List Matters More Than It Looks

Non-roster invites aren’t charity.

They’re auditions.

At least one of these 27 players will still be around when camp thins out. One will make decision-makers uncomfortable. One will outplay expectations.

You just don’t know who yet.

And that’s exactly why spring training matters.