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NY Yankees 2024 World Series vs. LA Dodgers roster announced

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LOS ANGELES – As expected, Nestor Cortes broke through and the Yankees opted to take 13 pitchers into the World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Due to a hip flexor strain, the Yankees removed versatile infielder Jon Berti from the roster after he made it to both the AL Division Series and the AL Championship Series.

According to manager Aaron Boone, the Yankees would have had to take 13 pitchers if Berti had been healthy, meaning another position player (possibly Trent Grisham or Jasson Dominguez) would have lost a spot on the roster.

Cortes missed the first two rounds of the postseason recovering from a left flexor muscle strain, but with his physical condition and “the size of these games, I'll be fine,” the left-hander said Friday.

Here is the Yankees' roster:

Yankees' World Series rotation (4)

Gerrit Cole, RHP

Carlos Rodon, LHP

Clarke Schmidt, RHP

Luis Gil, RHP

Summary: Another benefit of Juan Soto's “at-bat for the ages” (in Boone's words) home run that helped win the AL Championship Series on Saturday night was Cole's lineup for World Series Game 1.

If the Cleveland Guardians had forced a Game 6, Cole would have gotten that assignment.

Pitching coach Matt Blake suggested the Yanks follow their ALCS model, followed by Rodon, Schmidt and Gil.

That leaves the younger Schmidt and Gil in Games 3 and 4, while Cole and Rodon can pitch Games 5 and 6 if necessary, and Cole may be involved in part of an all-hands-on-deck scenario in Game 7.

Yankees' World Series relievers (9)

Luke Weaver, RHP

Clay Holmes, RHP

Jake Cousins, RHP

Tim Hill, LHP

Mark Leiter Jr., RHP

Tommy Kahnle, RHP

Tim Mayza, LHP

Marcus Stroman, RHP

Nestor Cortes, LHP

Summary: Cortes survived his third and final live simulated mission in good condition and will be available for 20 to 30 pitches. He hasn't played in a game since mid-September due to a flexor muscle strain.

During his live sessions, Cortes said his speed was around 88 to 91 miles per hour. Since he can reach speeds of 92-93 miles per hour, it gave him confidence that he would be ready to go. “I’m ready for whatever it takes,” Cortes said.

Stroman hasn't pitched in the postseason yet, but he's making it as an emergency starter/long reliever like he did in the ALCS.

For the third straight season, the Yankees have added Mayza as an extra left-handed hitter. He has only thrown 1.1 innings this postseason, but his presence is valuable.

Ian Hamilton's calf injury during the ALCS opened the door for Leiter Jr., whose performance and moxie in Games 4 and 5 led to his inclusion on the roster. Leiter Jr. missed the cut for the ALDS and the original ALCS squad.

Yankees World Series infielder (5)

Anthony Rizzo, 1B

Gleyber Torres, 2B

Anthony Volpe, SS

Jazz Chisholm Jr., 3B

Oswaldo Cabrera, IF

Summary: Jon Berti's injury loses a versatile infielder with base-stealing ability who started twice in the ALDS while Rizzo was still recovering from two broken fingers.

Despite playing with discomfort with his right hand, Rizzo batted .429 (6-for-14) in the ALCS and is looking to add to his World Series ring collection (2016 Chicago Cubs).

In the Yankees' nine playoff games, leadoff man Gleyber Torres has reached safely in the first inning eight times, with three walks, three singles and two doubles, for an overall on-base percentage of .400.

Anthony Volpe is a .310 hitter with an OPS of .804 in his first nine postseason games.

Yankees' World Series outfielder/DH (6)

Aaron Richter

Juan Soto

Alex Verdugo

Giancarlo Stanton

Jason Dominguez

Trent Grisham

Summary: At the expense of Berti, the Yankees opted to keep Dominguez and/or Grisham on the roster for the third consecutive season.

The defensively strong Grisham has not played in any of the Yankees' nine postseason games, and Dominguez has served as a pinch-runner twice.

Growing up in Sherman Oaks, Giancarlo Stanton was able to continue his role as the Yankees' new Mr. October at Dodger Stadium, where he watched games from the left field stands.

As he held the ALCS MVP Award, Stanton said, “That’s not the trophy I want. “I want the next one.”

With five more big home runs in these playoffs (16 HR in 36 career postseason games), Stanton's power show in October will rival the Aaron Judge vs. Shohei Ohtani storyline.

The likely 2024 MVPs, both Judge (58) and Ohtani (54), led their leagues in home runs.

Yankees World Series catcher (2)

Austin Wells

Jose Trevino

Summary: Wells dropped from the starting spot against right-handers to No. 8 in ALCS Game 4, breaking an 0-for-21 playoff drought with a solo home run.

Boone will likely continue to beat Wells in the bottom third of the order. Trevino has started one playoff game (ALCS Game 3), but his ability to stop the running game is a concern.

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