With the deadline to add players to 40-man rosters approaching at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, two eligible Yankees prospects are assured protection from the Rule 5 Draft.

That would be Spencer Jones and Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz, top-100 prospects who ended the 2025 season at Triple-A. Both could impact the Yankees in 2026 if they remain part of the organization. Jones’ chances of doing so have been mentioned by Brian Cashman multiple times this offseason, though his timeline could be impacted by the free agent decisions of Cody Bellinger and Trent Grisham , as well as Jasson Domínguez’s standing with the Yankees.

“He’s earned, without a doubt, the look in the competition, but again, it all depends on how many opportunities exist based on the decisions that come out of this winter,” Cashman said of

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