Yankees finalize Opening Day roster as Gerrit Cole goes on 60-day IL

MLB

By Greg Joyce

HOUSTON — The Yankees’ Opening Day roster is set.

The club has settled on its 26 players to start the season hours ahead of Thursday’s opener against the Astros, with right-handers Nick Burdi and Clayton Beeter keeping the final two spots in the bullpen and Jahmai Jones securing the final spot on the bench.

All three had flown from Tampa to Houston with the Yankees to break camp, but with the caveat that the Yankees would be exploring external additions in the days leading up to Thursday so they were not guaranteed to make the roster.

But the only move the Yankees made was trading for utility infielder Jon Berti, who takes the roster spot of Ben Rortvedt, who was sent to the Rays in the three-way deal.

Berti, who will wear No. 19, will be on the bench to start Thursday’s game against Astros left-hander Framber Valdez with Oswaldo Cabrera getting the start at third base.

The Yankees only had to clear a 40-man roster spot for Burdi (Beeter and Jones were already on it), and did so by placing Gerrit Cole on the 60-day injured list.

That means the reigning AL Cy Young winner will be out at least until May 27, which was right around the best-case scenario anyway for when he could return from nerve inflammation and edema in his right elbow.

The Yankees officially start the season with eight players on the injured list: DJ LeMahieu (foot bone bruise) and Oswald Peraza (shoulder strain) on the 10-day IL, Tommy Kahnle (shoulder) and McKinley Moore (knee bursitis) on the 15-day IL and Cole, Scott Effross (Tommy John rehab/back surgery), Lou Trivino (Tommy John rehab) and Jasson Dominguez (Tommy John rehab) on the 60-day IL.