The Yankees are set to face the Mets in the 2026 Subway Series, with both teams struggling early in the season. Aaron Boone maintains a close relationship with former bench coach Carlos Mendoza, now with the Mets, but rivalry tensions will rise during the series.
Key points
Yankees face Mets in Subway Series 2026
Aaron Boone keeps in touch with Carlos Mendoza
Mets signed Juan Soto from the Yankees
Both teams are struggling early in the season
First Subway Series set for Friday at Citi Field
Mentioned in this story
Aaron BooneCarlos MendozaJuan Soto
YankeesMets
NEW YORK – Aaron Boone regularly keeps in touch with his old bench coach, Carlos Mendoza.
They frequently trade texts, and some friendly barbs now and then – like when the Mets signed Juan Soto away from the Yankees, who were forced to pivot from their 2024 winter plans.
Mendoza’s impact on the Yankees is still felt; there are a lot of players who care deeply about him, with empathy for the rough start to 2026 that Mendoza and the Mets have endured.
Naturally, all that goodwill ceases at Friday’s first pitch, when the Yankees arrive at Citi Field for a three-game set – the first of two Subway Series this year.
Boone isn’t immune to what’s going on in Queens, but he’s playing this rivalry as close to the vest as possible, with the Yanks also in a rocky stretch.
“Hopefully, we go play well and put ourselves in position to win a series,’’ Boone said after Wednesday’s 7-0 loss at Baltimore, giving the Yanks a 1-5 record on a road trip that began with a three-game sweep at Milwaukee.
Yanks vs. Mets, part one
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - MAY 08: A major league debut patch is seen on the sleeve of Spencer Jones #78 of the New York Yankees before game against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field on May 08, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - MAY 08: Spencer Jones #78 of the New York Yankees steps to the plate in his first major league at bat in the second inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field on May 08, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)
Q&A
What is the current state of the Yankees as they face the Mets in 2026?
The Yankees are experiencing a rocky start to the 2026 season, similar to the Mets.
How has Carlos Mendoza impacted the Yankees and Mets rivalry?
Carlos Mendoza, former Yankees bench coach, has a lasting influence on the Yankees, and his current role with the Mets adds depth to the rivalry.
When does the Subway Series between the Yankees and Mets take place in 2026?
The first Subway Series of 2026 begins with a three-game set starting on Friday.
What challenges are the Yankees facing in the 2026 season?
The Yankees are dealing with a rough start to the season, which complicates their performance in the upcoming Subway Series.
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MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - MAY 08: Spencer Jones #78 of the New York Yankees steps to the plate in his first major league at bat in the second inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field on May 08, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - MAY 08: Spencer Jones #78 of the New York Yankees steps to the plate in his first major league at bat in the second inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field on May 08, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - MAY 08: Spencer Jones #78 of the New York Yankees steps to the plate in his first major league at bat in the second inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field on May 08, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - MAY 08: Spencer Jones #78 of the New York Yankees before start of game and his major league debut against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field on May 08, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - MAY 08: Spencer Jones #78 of the New York Yankees takes batting practice before making his major league debut against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field on May 08, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - MAY 08: Spencer Jones #78 of the New York Yankees takes batting practice before making his major league debut against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field on May 08, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - MAY 09: Spencer Jones #78 of the New York Yankees flies out in the second inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field on May 09, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - MAY 09: Spencer Jones family and girlfriend look on hoping for his first major league hit during the game against the New York Yankees at American Family Field on May 09, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - MAY 10: Spencer Jones #78 of the New York Yankees gets his first major league hit, a single and run batted in, during the second inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field on May 10, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - MAY 10: The girlfriend and family of Spencer Jones #78 of the New York Yankees react to his first major league hit against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field on May 10, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)
May 8, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; New York Yankees designated hitter Spencer Jones (78) bats during the second inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
May 8, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; New York Yankees designated hitter Spencer Jones (78) during batting practice prior to the game against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
May 10, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; New York Yankees right fielder Spencer Jones (78) hits a single for his first major league hit in the second inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images
May 10, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; New York Yankees right fielder Spencer Jones (78) hits a single for his first major league hit in the second inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images
May 10, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; New York Yankees right fielder Spencer Jones (78) hits a single for his first major league hit in the second inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images
New York Yankees outfielder Spencer Jones hits an RBI single during the second inning of their game against the Milwaukee Brewers Sunday, May 10, 2026 at American Family Field in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
May 10, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Family members cheer after New York Yankees right fielder Spencer Jones (not pictured) gets his first major league hit in the second inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images
May 10, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; New York Yankees right fielder Spencer Jones (78) catches ball hit by Milwaukee Brewers left fielder Jackson Chourio (not pictured) in the sixth inning at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images
1 / 20
See photos of Spencer Jones making MLB debut with Yankees
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - MAY 08: A major league debut patch is seen on the sleeve of Spencer Jones #78 of the New York Yankees before game against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field on May 08, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)
1 / 20
See photos of Spencer Jones making MLB debut with Yankees
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - MAY 08: A major league debut patch is seen on the sleeve of Spencer Jones #78 of the New York Yankees before game against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field on May 08, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)
2 / 20
See photos of Spencer Jones making MLB debut with Yankees
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - MAY 08: Spencer Jones #78 of the New York Yankees steps to the plate in his first major league at bat in the second inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field on May 08, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)
3 / 20
See photos of Spencer Jones making MLB debut with Yankees
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - MAY 08: Spencer Jones #78 of the New York Yankees steps to the plate in his first major league at bat in the second inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field on May 08, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)
4 / 20
See photos of Spencer Jones making MLB debut with Yankees
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - MAY 08: Spencer Jones #78 of the New York Yankees steps to the plate in his first major league at bat in the second inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field on May 08, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)
5 / 20
See photos of Spencer Jones making MLB debut with Yankees
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - MAY 08: Spencer Jones #78 of the New York Yankees steps to the plate in his first major league at bat in the second inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field on May 08, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)
6 / 20
See photos of Spencer Jones making MLB debut with Yankees
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - MAY 08: Spencer Jones #78 of the New York Yankees before start of game and his major league debut against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field on May 08, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)
7 / 20
See photos of Spencer Jones making MLB debut with Yankees
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - MAY 08: Spencer Jones #78 of the New York Yankees takes batting practice before making his major league debut against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field on May 08, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)
8 / 20
See photos of Spencer Jones making MLB debut with Yankees
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - MAY 08: Spencer Jones #78 of the New York Yankees takes batting practice before making his major league debut against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field on May 08, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)
9 / 20
See photos of Spencer Jones making MLB debut with Yankees
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - MAY 09: Spencer Jones #78 of the New York Yankees flies out in the second inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field on May 09, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)
10 / 20
See photos of Spencer Jones making MLB debut with Yankees
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - MAY 09: Spencer Jones family and girlfriend look on hoping for his first major league hit during the game against the New York Yankees at American Family Field on May 09, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)
11 / 20
See photos of Spencer Jones making MLB debut with Yankees
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - MAY 10: Spencer Jones #78 of the New York Yankees gets his first major league hit, a single and run batted in, during the second inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field on May 10, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)
12 / 20
See photos of Spencer Jones making MLB debut with Yankees
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - MAY 10: The girlfriend and family of Spencer Jones #78 of the New York Yankees react to his first major league hit against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field on May 10, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)
13 / 20
See photos of Spencer Jones making MLB debut with Yankees
May 8, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; New York Yankees designated hitter Spencer Jones (78) bats during the second inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
14 / 20
See photos of Spencer Jones making MLB debut with Yankees
May 8, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; New York Yankees designated hitter Spencer Jones (78) during batting practice prior to the game against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
15 / 20
See photos of Spencer Jones making MLB debut with Yankees
May 10, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; New York Yankees right fielder Spencer Jones (78) hits a single for his first major league hit in the second inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images
16 / 20
See photos of Spencer Jones making MLB debut with Yankees
May 10, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; New York Yankees right fielder Spencer Jones (78) hits a single for his first major league hit in the second inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images
17 / 20
See photos of Spencer Jones making MLB debut with Yankees
May 10, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; New York Yankees right fielder Spencer Jones (78) hits a single for his first major league hit in the second inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images
18 / 20
See photos of Spencer Jones making MLB debut with Yankees
New York Yankees outfielder Spencer Jones hits an RBI single during the second inning of their game against the Milwaukee Brewers Sunday, May 10, 2026 at American Family Field in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
19 / 20
See photos of Spencer Jones making MLB debut with Yankees
May 10, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Family members cheer after New York Yankees right fielder Spencer Jones (not pictured) gets his first major league hit in the second inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images
20 / 20
See photos of Spencer Jones making MLB debut with Yankees
May 10, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; New York Yankees right fielder Spencer Jones (78) catches ball hit by Milwaukee Brewers left fielder Jackson Chourio (not pictured) in the sixth inning at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images
Boone called this meeting with the Mets merely “another important weekend series on the schedule that, if you don’t play well, (they’re) going to beat you.’’
And that’s “as far as I go’’ in evaluating the 2026 version of this crosstown rivalry.
Beyond the throw-out-the-records excitement whenever the Yankees and Mets clash, with their passionate fan bases out for blood, Boone’s club has its own set of concerns.
Max Fried was headed for an MRI Thursday, having exited Wednesday’s start at Baltimore with an aching elbow.
And the Yankees’ lineup, beyond the cleanup spot, has badly stumbled.
“We’ve got to take our walks where we can,’’ said Yankees captain Aaron Judge, after his team was one-hit Wednesday by Kyle Bradish and a trio of Orioles relievers.
“We’ve got to respond when we get back’’ to New York, said Judge, adding, “once we get it rolling here, it’s going to be special.’’
Maybe the Mets are exactly what they need, an underachieving club that has seemingly lost its identity, with Edwin Diaz, Brandon Nimmo and Pete Alonso cast away.
Still, they’ve got the talent to contend, and Judge threw the Mets a lifeline.
“Yeah, I don’t really understand it. They’ve got a great manager…great lineup, great pitching staff. It’s baseball,’’ said Judge. “Can’t really judge a team off six weeks of the season.
“You could take six weeks of (our) struggling and say we’re the worst team out there,’’ said Judge. “They’ve got a good ballclub and (we’re) excited to get out there.’’
New York, New York
May 10, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; New York Yankees right fielder Spencer Jones (78) hits a single for his first major league hit in the second inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images
May 10, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; New York Yankees right fielder Spencer Jones (78) hits a single for his first major league hit in the second inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images
And it’ll be Spencer Jones’ first taste of New York, though the rookie slugger has yet to play a game in the Bronx.
Plus, it’ll be a homecoming for Anthony Volpe, just recalled from Triple-A after Jose Caballero went on the injured list with a fractured right middle finger.
In his 2026 debut for the Yankees on Wednesday afternoon, Volpe went 0-for-3 with an error at shortstop, batting eighth in the order.
Boone felt Volpe had “competitive at-bats’’ and “thought he made a couple good plays in the field,’’ including a 6-3 double play.
“And then, obviously, missed a routine play’’ for the fielding error. But, “overall just for us just not a great day. We didn’t play our best,’’ especially as a lineup.
Outside of a five-run inning Tuesday, with a three-run homer by Trent Grisham, “we just didn’t quite mount enough offensively’’ on this road trip.
As for Judge’s message to Volpe, it’s “take care of business, that’s really all it is,’’ said the captain. There’s “going to be a lot of noise, just go out and play your game.’’
