Three former Yankees players axed from YES broadcasts in 2026, network confirms

The Yankees’ regional sports network, YES, will have two play-by-play announcers, three rotating analysts, and one field reporter in 2026.

That’s a sizable reduction from last year, and it will cost two former players their jobs as rotating analysts.

MORE: Olympics reporter apologizes for drinking, slurring words during live segment

John Flaherty announced last November that his contract was not renewed by YES for 2026. News of Jeff Nelson and Dave Valle’s departure, first reported at the end of last season by Andrew Marchand of The Athletic, was confirmed this week by Jared Boshnack, YES’ executive producer and vice president of production.

“I think it’s going to really be beneficial for the audience to know every single game, ‘Hey, this is who’s going to be covering it,’ ” Boshnack told Newsday‘s Anthony Rieber.

Michael Kay will handle the Yankees play-by-play duties for YES, along with backup Ryan Ruocco. David Cone, Paul O’Neill and Joe Girardi are the analysts. Meredith Marakovits will continue in her reporter role.

Former Yankees infielder Todd Frazier, among the rotating analysts last year, will join YES’ roster of pre- and post-game hosts. So will Justin Shackil, who did play-by-play at times in 2025.

The downsizing at YES comes after Cone was given Sunday nights off by ESPN, his former employer, which lost the rights to its Sunday night package of primetime MLB games after the 2025 season.

— Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories on The Big Lead —

NFL: Former 49ers wide receiver announces immediate retirement from football

OLYMPICS: Mikaela Shiffrin sends 2-word message after winning Olympic gold medal

MLB: MLBPA chooses Tony Clark’s replacement one day after abrupt resignation

NFL: College quarterback who won 7 Super Bowl rings as NFL executive dies

SPORTS MEDIA: College Hall of Famer, father of Chicago Bulls coach, dies

VIRAL: Red Sox issue, retract, reissue statement about Fanatics uniform snafu

The post Three former Yankees players axed from YES broadcasts in 2026, network confirms appeared first on The Big Lead.