The Yankees continue to roll to start the 2026 season, with different players putting their stamp on each game and Tuesday night wasn’t any different.
Going up against the Athletics, Yankees manager Aaron Boone decided to start Amed Rosario (his second this season) at third base instead of Ryan McMahon. Despite the A’s having right-hander Aaron Civale on the mound, the Yankees skipper chose Rosario instead of the left-handed McMahon because of Civale’s reverse splits. And that proved to be the right move.
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Rosario got the Yankees’ scoring started with a solo shot in the second to put them up 1-0. But once the offense stalled, Rosario came to the rescue again in the eighth inning. Going up against former Yankees reliever Mark Leiter Jr., Rosario launched a three-run blast to give the Yankees the lead and the eventual win, 5-3.
The 30-year-old launched the 0-1 splitter 414 feet (107.3 mph off the bat) into the second deck in left field. Rosario knew he got all of it and turned to his dugout to hype his team up.
“A lot of emotions there,” Rosario said through an interpreter of the go-ahead homer. “Looking for a pitch that I could do some damage. I got it.”
The Yankees traded for Rosario at the trade deadline last year to help bolster their bench. He provided that much-needed right-handed depth, hitting .303 with a home run, three doubles and five RBI in 16 games in 2025. The team re-signed him to give Boone that bench option again, and the skipper knew he could deliver when needed.
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“One of the things that struck me about him last year, just how good he was at staying ready and prepared in the role,” Boone said. “He’s really good at what he needs to be ready every single day. I liked him against Civale today, not only he hits one there, but a no-doubter to pull the victory out. Just a big night for him.”
Another reason the Yankees brought back Rosario was his clubhouse presence. Even when he wasn’t playing, he brought an energy to the dugout, constantly encouraging his teammates. He’s become a favorite amongst his teammates.
“We brought Rosie back not only because he’s a good player, but a tremendous teammate and sets an amazing example for everyone,” Boone said. “He’s become beloved in that room in short order. They all get thrilled by his successes, too.”
“He’s great to have on the team. Great to have someone like him on the team,” Jose Caballero said of Rosario. “He never has a bad day. He always comes with high energy. It’s good for the clubhouse, good for him, and good for everyone.”
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“He’s great. High-energy guy,” Cam Schlittler added. “Goes out there and does something like that tonight. We don’t win that game without him.
Boone recalled last year when Rosario wound up on the IL after running into a wall in the outfield when he first came over in the trade. When Rosario was ready to come back after a short stint, he didn’t need a rehab start; he told the team he was ready to go immediately, and that stuck with Boone.
“Although I’m not playing every day, I try not to let that affect me mentally,” Rosario said of staying ready. “Over the years, I’ve created a routine that’s allowed me to do my job.”
That’s why Boone is comfortable inserting Rosario in the lineup when needed, perhaps even more than last season.
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The decision is also made easier by McMahon’s tough start to the season offensively — 2-for-23 with an OPS of . 363. However, Boone isn’t committing to a change after Rosario’s performance on Tuesday. He likes the options he has in Rosario and McMahon and will create his lineup accordingly.
“There’s certain matchups that I like [Rosario] in,” Boone explained. “We’ve got a number of lefties coming up. Competition’s always a good thing.”
Tuesday was just the third instance where Rosario had a multi-homer game. As a Yankee, Rosario has hit .302/.295/.581 (13-for-43) with three doubles, three home runs and 10 RBI in just 20 games.
If McMahon continues to struggle, Rosario will have more opportunities to build on those numbers.