NEW YORK – Spring training pitching injuries created opportunities for some bubble candidates to make the Yankees’ Opening Day roster.

Plus, there was a surprise or two regarding the Yankees’ bench, as JC Escarra and Pablo Reyes made a deep impression in camp.

On the way to an AL pennant in 2024, the Yankees used 54 players – including 31 pitchers – so things will constantly change over the next 162 games.

But on this Opening Day, here is the Yankees’ 26-man roster to start the 2025 season:

Yankees’ Opening Day roster: Pitchers (13)

Carlos Rodon, LHP

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Max Fried, LHP

Marcus Stroman, RHP

Will Warren, RHP

Carlos Carrasco, RHP

Devin Williams, RHP

Luke Weaver, RHP

Tim Hill, LHP

Ryan Yarbrough, LHP

Brent Headrick, LHP

Fernando Cruz, RHP

Mark Leiter, Jr., RHP

Yoendrys Gomez, RHP

Analysis: On Wednesday, the Yankees optioned right-handed reliever Yerry de los Santos to Class AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and officially placed Ian Hamilton (viral illness) on the IL.

On Thursday morning, right-hander Jake Cousins was placed on the 60-day IL with a right elbow flexor strain that has kept him sidelined since the beginning of camp.

Regarding the starting rotation, Gerrit Cole (reconstructive elbow surgery) is out until 2026 and Luis Gil (lat strain) is possibly sidelined until July. But fellow right-hander Clarke Schmidt (shoulder fatigue) could return by early April.

Manager Aaron Boone is hopeful of having Hamilton and Tyler Matzek (lat strain), in his bullpen sometime in April.

After Rodon’s Opening Day start, Fried is scheduled to start Saturday’s second game, followed in rotation by Stroman and the rookie Warren. Carrasco’s first start has yet to be determined.

Yankees’ Opening Day roster: Infielders (6)

Paul Goldschmidt, 1B

Jazz Chisholm Jr., 2B

Anthony Volpe, SS

Oswaldo Cabrera, IF-OF

Pablo Reyes, IF

Oswald Peraza, IF

Analysis: Reyes won a job with his eye-catching performance in camp. He’ll serve as a right-handed hitter off the bench and he’s a versatile defender with MLB experience at nearly every position.

“Really impressed with what I’ve seen from Pablo,’’ said Aaron Boone, praising his defensive flexibility, plus “there’s life in his bat.’’

How his presence impacts Peraza, out of minor league options, is yet to be seen but Boone said it “could be a combination of both’’ Peraza and Reyes getting third base starts versus lefty pitching.

Veteran infielder DJ LeMahieu (strained left calf) begins on the IL. He might be ready to return in a few weeks, but at this point, it’s difficult to bank on receiving any production from the former two-time batting champ.

Yankees’ Opening Day roster: Outfielders (4)

Aaron Judge

Jasson Dominguez

Cody Bellinger

Trent Grisham

Analysis: Reyes, Cabrera and even Peraza can play some outfield, supplementing this spot, but the Yanks are still in the market for a right-handed hitting outfielder.

Everson Pereira, coming back from elbow surgery, was optioned to Triple-A but he’s a possibility to fill this role in the weeks ahead.

With Giancarlo Stanton (elbow tendinitis) on the IL, Grisham should get more time in center, with Judge having more DH starts and Bellinger shifting over to right field.

Yankees’ Opening Day roster: Catchers (3)

Austin Wells

JC Escarra

Ben Rice

Analysis: The lefty-hitting Rice is due to open as the Yanks’ designated hitter because of Stanton’s indefinite return, though he has resumed swinging a bat, according to Boone.

Making his MLB debut at age 29, Escarra is the main backup to Wells, though Rice is a catcher as well as a backup first baseman.