After nearly four long months, Yankees baseball is back.
The Bronx Bombers make their spring training debut Friday afternoon in a Grapefruit League matchup versus the Tampa Bay Rays at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, Florida.
It’s the first game for the Yankees since they lost in five games to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 2024 World Series.
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They return to their home base in Florida with a revamped roster — with the signings of outfielder Cody Bellinger, starting pitcher Max Fried and relief pitcher Devin Williams to revamp the roster after Juan Soto left for Queens to sign a 15-year, $765 million contract with the Mets this offseason.
Following the Dodgers and Cubs kicking spring training off Thursday in the Cactus League in Arizona, these two AL East franchises get the action underway for the Grapefruit League being the first of five games played Friday in MLB spring training with first pitch scheduled for 1:05 p.m.
Saturday marks the first time all 30 MLB teams will take the field this season, with the Yankees facing the Blue Jays at 1:07 p.m.
Can the Bronx Bombers repeat as American League champions and become the first team since the Astros in 2021 and 2022 to make back-to-back World Series appearances?
Only time will tell over the next seven months, but one thing for certain is that the action starts now.
Here are starting lineups for the Yankees and Rays this afternoon:
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Yankees, Rays announce starting lineups for spring training opener
New York Yankees lineup
Tampa Bay Rays
What channel is the Yankees game on today vs. Tampa Bay Rays? | FREE LIVE STREAM, time, TV, channel for MLB spring training 2025
Yankees infielder DJ LeMahieu showed up for spring training without a starting job guaranteed after hitting a career-low .204 in 67 games in 2024, his fourth down season in a row.AP
The New York Yankees open up Spring Training play against the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday, Feb. 21, 2025 (2/21/25) at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa Bay, Florida.
Fans can watch the game via DirecTV Stream, which is the only streaming platform that carries YES Network.
Here’s what you need to know:
What: MLB spring training game
Who: Yankees vs. Rays
When: Friday, Feb. 21, 2025
Time: 1:05 p.m.
Where: George M. Steinbrenner Field
TV: YES Network
Channel finder: Verizon Fios, Comcast Xfinity,Spectrum/Charter, Optimum/Altice,Cox,DIRECTV,Dish,Hulu, fuboTV, Sling.
Live stream: DirecTV Stream
Here is the rest of the Yankees’ Spring Training TV schedule:
Friday, Feb. 21 at 1:05 p.m
Yankees vs. Rays on YES Network
FREE LIVE STREAM: DirecTV Stream
Saturday, Feb. 22 at 1:07 p.m.
Yankees at Blue Jays on Gotham Sports app
Sunday, Feb. 23 at 1:05 p.m.
Yankees vs. Tigers on YES Network
FREE LIVE STREAM: DirecTV Stream
Monday, Feb. 24 at 1:05 p.m.
Yankees at Red Sox on Gotham Sports app
Wednesday, Feb. 26 at 1:05 p.m.
Yankees vs. Cardinals on YES Network
FREE LIVE STREAM: DirecTV Stream
Thursday, Feb. 27 at 1:05 p.m.
Yankees at Phillies on MLB.com
Friday, Feb. 28 at 6:35 p.m.
Yankees vs. Blue Jays on Gotham Sports app
Saturday, Mar. 1 at 1:05 p.m.
Yankees vs. Astros on YES Network
FREE LIVE STREAM: DirecTV Stream
Sunday, Mar. 2 at 1:05 p.m.
Yankees at Braves on Gotham Sports app
Monday, Mar. 3 at 6:35 p.m
Yankees vs. Pirates on YES Network
FREE LIVE STREAM: DirecTV Stream
Tuesday, Mar. 4 at 1:05 p.m.
Yankees at Phillies on MLB.com
Thursday, Mar. 6 at 1:05 p.m.
Yankees vs. Twins on YES Network
FREE LIVE STREAM: DirecTV Stream
Friday, Mar. 7 at 6:35 p.m.
Yankees vs. Blue Jays on YES Network
FREE LIVE STREAM: DirecTV Stream
Monday, Mar. 10 at 1:05 p.m.:
Yankees vs. Tigers on YES Network
FREE LIVE STREAM: DirecTV Stream
Tuesday, Mar. 11 at 1:05 p.m.
Yankees vs. Orioles on YES Network
FREE LIVE STREAM: DirecTV Stream
Friday, Mar. 14 at 6:35 p.m.
Yankees vs. Phillies on YES Network
Saturday, Mar. 15 at 1:05 p.m.
Yankees at Rays on Gotham Sports app
Sunday, Mar. 16 at 1:05 p.m.
Yankees vs. Pirates on YES Network
FREE LIVE STREAM: DirecTV Stream
Monday, Mar. 17 at 1:07 p.m.
Yankees at Blue Jays on Gotham Sports app)
Tuesday, Mar. 18 at 1:05 p.m.
Yankees vs. Red Sox on YES Network
FREE LIVE STREAM: DirecTV Stream
Wednesday: Mar. 19 at 6:35 p.m.
Yankees vs. Braves on YES Network
FREE LIVE STREAM: DirecTV Stream
Thursday, Mar. 20 at 6:05 p.m.
Yankees at Orioles on Gotham Sports app
Friday, Mar. 21 at 6:05 p.m.
Yankees at Tigers on Gotham Sports app
Saturday, Mar. 22 at 1:05 p.m.
Yankees vs. Phillies on YES Network
Sunday, Mar. 23 at 1:05 p.m.
Yankees vs. Rays on YES Network
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SPRING OPENER: New York Yankees host Rays at Steinbrenner Field
TAMPA, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Rays will take on the New York Yankees in its first spring training game of the season.
Tickets will likely be sold out at game time, with the lowest price tickets for the spring training opener set at around $160 each.
For the Tampa Bay Rays, it will be the first time the team takes to the field where it will play all of its home games this season. Steinbrenner Field will be the Rays home field for the regular season as the Trop is unplayable because of hurricane damage last fall.
Despite some pushback from public, city and county officials, Rays leadership said the team is excited to call Steinbrenner Field its temporary home.
“I think our players have the appropriate perspective and there’s a major league quality field,” said General Manager Erik Neander. “We’re in a place that’s accessible to our fans where they’re going to be able to come out and enjoy the product.”
Rays Manager Kevin Cash agreed, adding it will be an exciting change.
“The Bay area is where we wanted to be,” said team Manager Kevin Cash. “That’s our fan base. So, some of our St. Pete locals, I understand it’s frustrating, but for the Bay area, to bring baseball over there and to play during the summer, after the Yankees leave from spring training, I think it’s going to be very exciting.”
First pitch between the Ray and Yankees is set for 1:05 p.m.
Setting up for the Spring Training Special today live from Steinbrenner! Join @BayNews9Jeff and myself as we get you ready for the season at 12:30. #RaysUp @BN9 pic.twitter.com/RM80IqsAsl
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After an event-filled offseason, Spring Training set to return Rays to the field
What You Need To Know
The Tampa Bay Rays will play its first spring training game at Steinbrenner Field Friday, visiting the Yankees. In March, the facility will serve as the Rays’ temporary home for the upcoming regular season
Game is expected to be a sell-out
First pitch is at 1:05 p.m.
Rays leadership says the team is excited for the upcoming season in its temporary home
SPRING TRAINING PRIMER: After an event-filled offseason, Spring Training set to return Rays to the field
