The New York Yankees roster will look different in the coming weeks due to players returning from injuries. Some players are not performing the way they need to be and some who are performing well will be casualties of roster space.
A month ago, the New York Yankees sat at the bottom of MLB's American League East, currently the toughest division in baseball. Now, they're in third place in the division with a 34-24 record. The Yankees are closing the gap between them and the second-place Baltimore Orioles in the AL East. The Orioles and the Yankees are chasing down the Tampa Bay Rays who got off to a hot start this season.
With the Yankees expecting some big players to return from the Injured List, space on the 26-man roster will need to be cleared. They still have quite a few pitchers on the IL, so more moves will come throughout the summer as they return. Injuries inevitably happen, so it's likely that players who are optioned to Triple-A will be called back up at some point this year. Any trades made between now and the MLB trade deadline of Aug. 1 will also impact the current rosters.
While some players can be optioned to Triple-A, others don't have options remaining. Some players could be designated for assignment this summer. The Yankees recently showed their willingness to eat a large contract by cutting ties with Aaron Hicks.
Here are three players on the 26-man roster who will not be on the roster by July 1.
Yankees who won't be on the roster: 3. Albert Abreu
The next time the Yankees need to free up a spot on the 40-man roster, Albert Abreu should be DFA'd. The Yankees have held onto Abreu so far this season, so it's possible they'll try to trade him instead of having to take the DFA route. Abreu is out of minor league options, so taking him off the 26-man roster is not as simple as optioning him to Triple-A. The good news for the Yankees is that they wouldn't need to eat a monster contract. Abreu is signed to a one-year $738,700 deal.
Abreu should survive on the Yankees roster for a bit longer. The bullpen has been overworked because the Yankees starting pitchers aren't pitching deep into games. Some big pitchers are still on the shelf. The Yankees are missing starters Carlos Rodon and Frankie Montas as well as relievers Tommy Kahnle, Jonathan Loaisiga, Scott Effross, Ian Hamilton, and Lou Trivino. Some of these players are on the 60-day IL. Kahnle is set to join the team this weekend.
Much to the dismay of the fanbase, Abreu has pitched in some high-leverage situations this season. He really hasn't proven that he's earned those opportunities, continuing to struggle in big spots. Abreu has a 4.58 ERA in his last 15 games. He's been much better in his last seven appearances, with just a 0.90 ERA, but his inconsistency, struggle with control, and difficulty with inherited runners are frustrating.
Abreu has a history with the Yankees. He pitched for the Yankees in 2020 and 2021 before being traded to the Texas Rangers in exchange for catcher Jose Trevino. The Rangers DFA'd him and then traded him to the Kansas City Royals. Abreu was claimed off waivers by the Yankees last June after being DFA'd by the Royals.
It could be getting close to the time for the Yankees to part with Abreu again. Abreu is still on the roster because of injuries, but one of these days, the Yankees will need to pull the trigger and clear a roster spot.
Yankees who won't be on the roster: 2. Willie Calhoun
Willie Calhoun is a candidate to be DFA'd by the Yankees in the coming weeks. Since Calhoun is more of a DH than a fielder, it's hard to see him getting reps with Giancarlo Stanton's return from the IL creating a logjam at DH until he's ready to play the outfield. Calhoun should survive Stanton's return since the Yankees can option Franchy Cordero and Oswaldo Cabrera, but it's hard to imagine him surviving past the end of June if the Yankees' position players are healthy.
Two DHs on the roster create a lack of flexibility in the field. Calhoun will be relegated to a pinch hitter. Even when Stanton has a day off, Calhoun isn't likely to crack the starting lineup, as the DH spot will likely be filled by another Yankee since Josh Donaldson's return crowds the infield. He's not a candidate for pinch-running, either.
This one hurts because Calhoun has played well lately. He got off to a slow start in his first 20 at-bats before turning things around. In his last seven games, Calhoun is hitting .360 with a .520 SLG in 25 AB. He can rake, so the Yankees have shown confidence in him as a DH.
Calhoun was previously DFA'd by the Texas Rangers and the San Francisco Giants in 2022. He signed a minor league contract with the Yankees during the offseason and was selected to the active major league roster in April.
Calhoun should survive on the roster for now, and perhaps he'll thrive in a pinch-hitting role. Unless Stanton shows the ability to regularly play outfield in the next month, Calhoun is likely to lose his roster spot in favor of someone who is a stronger fielder.
Yankees who won't be on the roster: 1. Oswaldo Cabrera
Utility man Oswaldo Cabrera is the most likely candidate not to be on the roster by July 1. He has minor-league options, so sending him down to Triple-A when an injured Yankee returns is a simple move. This move should happen this week as Giancarlo Stanton and Josh Donaldson are set to return.
The Yankees showed confidence in Cabrera after he played well last season following his first call-up. He's fallen down in the ranks from where we was at the beginning of the season as the Opening Day starting left fielder.
Cabrera has struggled this season. While his defense is solid wherever he plays, his offense has been subpar. In 2023, Cabrera is batting .195 with a .538 OPS and -.58 WAR. He has just 30 hits in 154 at-bats. Cabrera has yet to find his groove at the plate.
While Cabrera is a valuable fielder who can play all over the diamond, the Yankees have Isiah Kiner-Falefa, who has shown he can play several positions, too. IKF has been on an offensive tear lately, and he has no minor-league options, so he's staying put over Cabrera.
Some time in Triple-A should be good for Cabrera. He can gain confidence while he works on his hitting and tries to find some momentum. Once he gets his bat going again, he can make an impact on this Yankees team the next time he's called upon. Cabrera brings spunk and heart to the team. This won't be the last we see of this young player.
Ed. Note — After this was written, Jack Curry reported on Wednesday night that Oswaldo Cabrera will be sent down to Triple-A as one of the corresponding moves for three Yankees who are set to return this weekend.
