If you just rolled out of bed, grabbed a coffee, and started frantically searching for what channel Yankee game today is on, I’ve got some news that might make you want to go back to sleep.
There is no game.
Today is Sunday, January 18, 2026. Unless the Steinbrenners have secretly moved the team to the Australian Baseball League or started a competitive snow-shoveling circuit in the Bronx, the New York Yankees are currently in the deepest part of the hibernation phase known as the MLB offseason.
It’s that weird, quiet period where the only "action" involves refreshing Twitter (or X, whatever we're calling it today) to see if Brian Cashman has finally pulled the trigger on a trade or if some mystery team is about to outbid everyone for the remaining top-tier free agents.
Honestly, it’s a bit of a bummer. We’re still about a month away from that glorious day when pitchers and catchers report to Tampa.
Where the Yankees are hiding right now
While you won't find a live game on the YES Network this afternoon, the team isn't exactly sitting on their hands. The front office is currently in the middle of a high-stakes game of chicken with some big names.
Specifically, the "Cody Bellinger conundrum" is the talk of the town. Reports from insiders like Alexander Wilson at Empire Sports Media suggest the Yankees are weighing whether to meet Bellinger’s massive contract demands or pivot to someone like Brendan Donovan from the Cardinals.
If you're looking for what channel Yankee game today is on because you saw a highlight, it was likely from the 2025 season or a "Classic" replay. YES Network typically fills these cold January gaps with:
- Yankees Hot Stove: This is your best bet for actual news. They break down roster moves, arbitration numbers, and prospect rankings.
- Yankees Magazine: Great for human-interest stories on guys like Anthony Volpe or Jasson Domínguez.
- Brooklyn Nets Games: Since YES also carries the Nets, you’re more likely to find Cam Thomas hitting a step-back jumper than Aaron Judge hitting a moonshot today.
When does the real action start?
If you're a planner, you should probably mark February 20, 2026, on your calendar. That is the official start of the Grapefruit League schedule.
The Yankees will open their Spring Training slate against the Baltimore Orioles at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota.
That game—and most of the ones following it—will likely be on YES Network or available via MLB.tv for those of us living outside the New York market. The 2026 regular season is actually going to start earlier than ever. We’re looking at a standalone Opening Night on March 25, where the Yankees will travel to San Francisco to face the Giants.
Basically, we’ve got about 66 days until the games actually count.
Why you might see Yankees players on TV soon
Even though the Yankees as a team aren't playing, the 2026 World Baseball Classic (WBC) is looming.
👉 See also: Portugal National Football Team Standings: What Really Happened This Season
You’re going to see a lot of pinstriped stars wearing different jerseys soon. Pitcher Fernando Cruz has already signaled he’s joining Puerto Rico, and rumors are swirling about which American stars will suit up for Team USA.
There’s also the Caribbean Series happening in Guadalajara, Mexico, from February 1st to the 7th. While the Yankees don't play as a unit there, their prospects often populate the rosters of the Dominican or Puerto Rican winter league champions.
The winter "Game" you should be watching
Since there isn't a physical game to watch, the "game" for fans right now is the transaction wire.
The Yankees have already been somewhat busy. They re-signed Paul Blackburn just a couple of days ago and grabbed Ryan Weathers on January 14th. It’s not exactly the "Soto-level" splash we all crave every winter, but it’s the kind of depth-building that matters in August when your rotation is held together by athletic tape and prayer.
The real question for fans asking what channel Yankee game today is on isn't about the TV dial—it's about the roster. Can they find enough left-handed hitting to balance out the lineup? Is the bullpen deep enough to survive another October run?
Actionable Next Steps for Yankees Fans
Since you can't watch a game today, here is how you can actually stay prepared for the 2026 season:
- Check the YES Network Schedule: If you’re a cable subscriber, look for the "Hot Stove" airings this week. That’s where the actual analysis happens.
- Verify your MLB.tv Subscription: If you’re out-of-market, check if your auto-renew is about to kick in. Prices usually bump up right around February.
- Monitor the Winter League Playoffs: The LIDOM (Dominican League) and LBPRC (Puerto Rico) are finishing up their playoffs this week. If you have access to those feeds, you’ll see some high-level baseball with plenty of MLB-adjacent talent.
- Set a Countdown for February 20: That’s your first "real" date for a Yankees broadcast.
It’s a long winter, but the sound of 98-mph fastballs hitting a catcher’s mitt in Tampa is just around the corner. Hang in there.