REPORT: Yankees bench Juan Soto from the starting lineup in his spring training debut.

On Sunday afternoon, fans will have an early opportunity to see the Yankees’ notable offseason addition in action. Despite the anticipation, it remains uncertain whether he will consistently bat second throughout the season. Nevertheless, in his debut game in February, he will indeed be batting second, positioned ahead of Aaron Judge, Anthony Rizzo, and Gleyber Torres.

Additionally, Alex Verdugo will lead off, marking his first appearance in the Yankees’ uniform. Fans have eagerly awaited this moment, hoping to see the team don their traditional pinstripes rather than the navy pullovers. With the Yankees famously omitting player names on the backs of their jerseys, their uniforms remain untainted by Nike/Fanatics, making them a unique sight in the league.

Another notable aspect of this game is the presence of left-hander Carlos Rodón, who brings a renewed mindset and improved physique to the mound for his spring debut. Hopes are high that this outing will surpass last year’s performance against the Braves, which ended up being his sole appearance of the spring. This time, Rodón has impressed teammates and coaches by hitting 97 mph on the radar gun early on, indicating he’s ready to excel this season without peaking too soon.

Additionally, there’s a subtle nod to Kevin Smith, a former Jays infielder, and Danny Watson, who is being utilized as a reliever in this game. Both attended Columbia High School in Nassau as kids and grew up as fans of the team. It’s a remarkable opportunity for them to be included in the lineup card for Soto’s Yankees debut, proving once again that spring training holds significance beyond its surface level.