Here’s a look at the Yankees’ latest roster moves…
May 26, 3:45 p.m.
The Yankees officially released OF Aaron Hicks Friday after being designated for an assignment on May 20.
Hicks, 33, has struggled mightily this season, cutting .188/.263/.261 in 28 games for New York. Over 651 games and eight pinstripe seasons, Hicks finished his Yankee career with a .230/.337/.398 slant line to go along with 81 home runs and 278 RBIs.
Hicks said he “loved being a Yankee” after being DFA and called it “the best moment of my career”.
Additionally, the Yanks recalled RHP Randy Vasquez of Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, as he is set to make his MLB debut and start against the San Diego Padres on Friday night. The 24-year-old originally signed as a 19-year-old out of the Dominican Republic in 2018 and became the Yankees’ No. 12 prospect in the organization, according to MLB Pipeline.
He went 1-5 in nine Triple-A starts this season, throwing at a 4.85 ERA with 50 strikeouts and a 1.57 WHIP.
May 25, 3:45 p.m.
Yankees call right-handed pitcher Randy Vasquez to make his MLB debut and start Friday’s game against the San Diego Padres, according to Brian Hoch of MLB.com.
Throwing Vasquez on Friday will give Luis Severino an extra day off before he makes his second start of the season since coming out of IL with a lat strain.
According to MLB Pipeline, Vasquez, 24, is ranked the 12th prospect in the Yankees organization. He was originally signed aged 19 from the Dominican Republic in 2018.
May 20, 8:20 p.m.
After Saturday’s 7-4 win over the Reds, the Yankees announced they had opted for RHP Jhony Brito at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barres.
Although a corresponding move has not been formalized, with Luis Severino set to make his 2023 debut on Sunday, it’s likely the Yankees will make room for their starter.
Brito started Saturday’s game, where he pitched four innings. He allowed four hits, four runs, four walks while striking out six. In 10 games (nine starts), Brito went 3-3 with a 5.58 ERA and 1.49 WHIP.
May 20, 1:40 p.m.
After making a rare trade with the Red Sox to acquire the outfielder Greg Allenwho had played for Boston’s Triple-A affiliate, the Yankees’ designated outfielder Aaron Hicks for assignment, the team announced Saturday.
Allen, who played 15 games for the Yankees in 2021, had made 37 appearances this season at Triple-A where he was down .250/.407/.388 with 11 extra hits on 116 at bats. The speedy 30-year-old also had 23 interceptions without getting caught.
“Switch-hitter, versatility, good in the role, can run”, manager Aaron Boon said Friday of Allen. “He’s very good at it too. He has played here before and has done a very good job with us in the past. A chance to add some depth.
In 28 games for New York, Hicks had reduced .188/.263/.261 with a .524 OPS and 47 OPS+, which is well below average. The 33-year-old has just 13 hits in 69 at-bats this season with two doubles, a home run and five RBIs. Over the past three seasons, Hicks has struggled to produce, with just .625 OPS and 78 OPS+ in his last 190 games.
The move comes after playing the past two games, recording three hits in four at bats in Thursday’s win at Toronto before striking out twice in Friday’s win over the Reds.
Hicks still has two years left on his contract with the Yanks and owes $9.79 million in 2024 and 2025 after signing a seven-year, $70 million contract before the 2019 season.
May 20, 9:45 a.m.
Following Friday’s win over the Cincinnati Reds, the Yankees announced the infielder Oswald Peraza had completed his rehab assignment and was reinstated from the 10-day disabled list and opted for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
Peraza suffered an ankle injury when he slipped into second base in a May 3 game, but was not placed on the IL until May 9 when the club activated Judge Aaron of IL.
In 12 games this season, the 23-year-old has just six hits in 32 at bats with a double and 3 RBIs. He cut .188/.316/.219 with a .545 OPS.
In 13 games with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, Peraza reduced .359/.414/.566 with a .980 OPS. He has 19 hits in 53 at bats, including two doubles and three home runs with 11 RBIs.
May 11, 1:30 p.m.
The Yankees announced ahead of Thursday night’s game against the Tampa Bay Rays that they had selected ryan weber to the active list.
Weber spent last season between the major league Yankees and the Triple-A roster. He made 15 appearances with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and posted a 3.86 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 27 strikeouts in 39.2 innings.
He has allowed just one point in five appearances at the big league level. So far in Triple-A, Weber has started five games and thrown a 5.77 ERA.
In a corresponding roster move, the Yankees transferred Jonathan Loaisiga to the 60-day injured list.
The right-hander, who has pitched just 3.1 innings this season, had surgery to remove a bone spur in his elbow. He is no longer eligible to return from IL until June 5.
Additionally, the Yankees reinstated the catcher Ben Rortvedt of 10 days IL and optioned it on Triple-A.
April 29, 11:50 p.m.
The Yankees announced Saturday morning that they had officially signed Jake Bauer to a major league contract, and they added him to the major league roster.
With Judge Aaron A bit battered the past few days, Bauers joined the Yankees’ taxi squad at the start of their Texas streak. New York is ruled out to provide an update on the outfielder’s status later today.
If Judge avoids the IL and only misses a few days, Bauers could at least provide some insurance for the Yanks. The veteran has played at first and both outside corner positions during his big league career.
Before being called, Bauers was hitting .304 with a 1.245 OPS, nine homers, five doubles and 20 RBIs in Triple-A. He also had a strong spring, hitting .407 in 13 games.
In a corresponding roster move, New York transferred Lou Trivino to the 60-day injured list. The right-hander, who is yet to pitch this season, is struggling with a UCL strained throwing elbow.
April 28, 11:35 p.m.
Following the Yankees’ 5-2 loss to the Rangers on Friday night, the team announced it had opted for INF/OF Francy Cordero at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
In 18 games (53 at bat), the 28-year-old has cut .151/.182/.578 with four home runs and 11 RBIs.
While Cordero’s numbers lately haven’t been good, he has played a pivotal role in the first two weeks of the 2023 season. From April 3-12, Cordero hit .280 but threw four home runs and 11 points produced. He wouldn’t hit another home run or drive in another run since.
April 25, 4:22 p.m.
The Yankees announced on Tuesday that they have signed LHP Nick Ramirez to a major league contract and selected him on the active roster.
Ramirez, 33, last appeared in the majors in 2021 with the San Diego Padres. In 13 appearances, Ramirez had a 5.75 ERA in 20.1 innings pitched. Last season, Ramirez signed a minor league contract with the Seattle Mariners but failed to make it out of Triple-A with the club.
In a corresponding move, the team opted for RHP Greg Weissert at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes/Barre.
Entering Tuesday, Weissert has played in four games this season and pitched a 2.08 ERA in 4.1 innings.
April 14, 3:25 p.m.
The Yankees announced on Friday that they called up the pitcher Greg Weissert of Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and designated pitcher Colten Brewer for assignment.
The move comes after the Yankees bullpen was taxed for 8.1 relief innings Thursday in an 11-2 loss to the Minnesota Twins after the start. Jhony Brito failed to make it out of the first. New York’s 40 player count now stands at 30 after the move.
Brewer joined the Yankees’ opening day roster after spending spring training with the Tampa Bay Rays organization. The 30-year-old has played in three games this season, allowing four runs (all earned) on six hits while walking three and striking out four in 8.1 innings pitched (4.32 ERA). The right-hander was bitten by the long ball three times in his last appearance against the Twins on Thursday night.
If Brewer accepts the waivers, he has the right to reject the surrender and elect free will.
Weissert, 28, played 12 games for the Yanks last season – his first action at the Major League level. The right-hander allowed seven runs (all earned) on six hits while walking five and striking out 11 in 11.1 innings (5.56 ERA).