About Yesterday: Yankees 11, Panama 1

About Yesterday: Yankees 11, Panama 1

By Derek McAdam

March 4, 2026

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The New York Yankees defeated the Panamanian national team yesterday by a score of 11-1. Giancarlo Stanton returned to the lineup for the Yankees, making his Spring Training debut and giving the Yankees a high exit velocity single in his Spring Training debut. With this win, the Yankees have won eight games in a row as the World Baseball Classic exhibition games kicked off in Scottsdale, Arizona.

While the Yankees ran up the score against the Panamanian team, it seems as if the bigger headline took place out west in Arizona with Aaron Judge being the captain for Team USA for the World Baseball Classic. The captain had a two-run single in the first inning of an exhibition game against the San Francisco Giants to put Team USA up 2-0.

It still seems surreal to me that out of all the possible candidates to lead the US in the WBC that Judge is the selected captain. And not because he doesn’t deserve it, but because the fact that he is another Yankee that the franchise is wasting away due to the incredible amount of talent he has.

Over the past week, not much stock has been invested into this Yankees’ squad. Spencer Jones hit another huge home run, but I believe he still needs plenty of time in the minors to get adjusted to Triple-A pitching before he hits the big leagues.

Paul Blackburn made a start that consisted of four innings, so far the most by any Yankee pitcher this Spring Training. I don’t see Blackburn as a starter by any means, but it’s great that he can stretch out some innings and give the Yankees some more options for relievers that can eat some innings.

And while I may sound hypocritical, it seems a bit ridiculous that Ryan McMahon is getting reps at shortstop. And no, I am not  criticizing him for taking the time to learn the position, but the Yankees do not need another shortstop option. As of Opening Day, Amed Rosario and Oswaldo Cabrera can play the position. Anthony Volpe is expected back in late April or early May, but maybe this is to light a fire under him since his overall play has not been well.

When it comes to the overall win streak, I don’t want to put too much stock into it. However, it is a bit tough to ignore. For the most part, the pitching continues to give them good innings and give them a fantastic chance of winning the game. I’m curious to see if they can keep this going or if it is just a small streak.

For today, it looks as if Luis Gil will get the start for the Yankees, while Garrett Crochet will get the start for the Boston Red Sox. This Spring Training game will be broadcast on ESPN and will start at 1 PM.

The Yankees need to keep going during their current streak of getting runs across the plate. Sure, it’s Spring Training and the wins don’t matter as much. But I will always cheer for a win, and this is no different. If it means there are more quality at-bats for the minor-league players, than so be it. Heck, even the major-leaguers need the better at-bats.

But this team is facing an interesting roster crunch as we get closer to the regular season, especially on who the bench players will be. Will it be Randal Grichuk, who was just signed to a minor-league contract? Will Cabrera make the team or will it be a surprise player out of Spring Training?

Whoever it may be, the Yankees must play each of these games as if they matter. And for the players who are unsure about their spot on the major league roster, they absolutely will do their best. And in doing so makes for much more entertaining baseball. So I will gratefully entertain the next few weeks before the regular season opener against the Giants on Mar. 25.