OF Aaron Judge announcement that he is leaving New York Yankee Now another significant issue for team…..

The Yankees head into Opening Day having not filled the hole in their rotation left by the injury to Gerrit Cole, but their offseason was still productive.

The addition of Juan Soto and his powerful lefty bat should provide a nice offensive upgrade and pair well with Aaron Judge to keep New York’s lineup formidable.

But with Cole out for a while, pitching could remain an issue. Long linked to free-agent lefty Jordan Montgomery, the Yankees missed out on his arm when he signed a one-year deal with the Diamondbacks.

But they did sign righty Marcus Stroman in January, which should provide some rotation stability.

As they had over the first three games of the series, the Yankees once again utilized some late-game magic to beat Houston, with Juan Soto hitting a go-ahead single in the top of the ninth inning. That broke a 3-3 tie.

Soto is off to an absurd start in New York, hitting .529 over his first four games. He was 3-for-5 in the win on Sunday.

After acquiring him in an offseason trade with the San Diego Padres, the Yankees are certainly on the short list of favorites to win the American League pennant.

After sweeping Houston, the Yankees will get another early-season test on Monday as they take on the National League Champion Arizona Diamondbacks.

First pitch from Chase Field is set for 9:40 p.m. ET as right-hander Luis Gil takes on righty Ryne Nelson.

Both pitchers will be making their first starts of the season.