ESPN | Jorge Castillo: Yankees GM Brian Cashman confirmed Saturday that Clarke Schmidt, who’s been dealing with a shoulder injury this spring, will start the season on the IL. Carlos Carrasco, the 38-year-old who entered camp as a non-roster invitee, will take his spot in the rotation. While not yet confirmed, Will Warren is the leading candidate for the fifth and final spot behind Carlos Rodón, Max Fried, Marcus Stroman, and Carrasco. Schmidt, who has been throwing off a mound this week, is not expected to miss much time.

MLB.com | Bryan Hoch: J.C Escarra was informed Saturday that he made the Yankees’ roster as the team’s backup catcher. It was a circuitous route to the bigs for the 29-year-old, who worked as an Uber driver and substitute teacher before a strong spring helped him earn the spot. In what has become an annual tradition across baseball, manager Aaron Boone let Escarra know he’d made the team after first implying he hadn’t made the cut in a hidden-camera video. “You’ve earned it,” said the Yankees skipper after giving Escarra the good news. “What a journey, and it’s just getting started.”

The Athletic | Chris Kirschner: ($) In addition to the rotation news, Kirschner reports on the Yankees’ search for a right-handed bat off the bench, which led them to let the left-handed Dominic Smith opt out of his contract Friday. Pablo Reyes, a non-roster invitee who’s looked good in camp, is the leading in-house candidate to fill that role, having apparently surpassed Oswald Peraza on the Yankees’ infield depth chart. That’s bad news for Peraza, the former top prospect who’s out of options and could be moved if he doesn’t make the Opening Day roster. And, with Ian Hamilton set to start the year on the IL, Brent Headrick, Yerry De Los Santos, Geoff Hartlieb, and Wilking Rodríguez are among those fighting for the last two spots in the bullpen.

Daily News | Gary Phillips: Paul Goldschmidt returned to the starting lineup Saturday after taking a few days off with a sore back. He did so in a new role, batting leadoff against the lefty Jesús Luzardo. It’s a slot the 37-year-old may be expected to fill against southpaws, spelling the left-handed Austin Wells at the top of the order. Despite never leading off in his 14-year MLB career, the first baseman is fine with the move, relaying that he told Yankees’ brass “I’ll hit wherever.”