Yankees announce non-roster invitees to 2023 Spring Training
The New York Yankees announced today that they have invited 29 players to 2023 Major League spring training. The number of players currently scheduled to report to spring training is 69.
Of the non-roster invitees (NRIs), 13 played in other organizations in 2022 and signed minor league contracts with the Yankees for the 2023 season: OF Willie Calhoun, RHP Tyler Danish, INF Wilmer Difo, RHP Demarcus Evans, RHP Ian Hamilton, OF Michael Hermosillo, OF Billy McKinney, RHP James Norwood, OF Rafael Ortega, LHP Nick Ramirez, LHP Lisandro Santos, LHP Tanner Tully and INF Jamie Westbrook.
Seven NRIs − INF Jesús Bastidas, INF/OF Jake Bauers, RHP Matt Bowman, INF Andrés Chaparro, C Rodolfo Durán, C Carlos Narvaez and RHP Ryan Weber − re-signed with the Yankees for 2023 after playing for the organization in 2022. Nine other players in the Yankees organization were also extended invitations to big league camp: RHP Sean Boyle, C Josh Breaux, OF Jasson Domínguez, OF Elijah Dunham, C Anthony Seigler, LHP D.J. Snelten, RHP Mitch Spence, INF Anthony Volpe and C Austin Wells.
The 29 NRIs consist of 12 pitchers (four left-handers, eight right-handers), five catchers, six outfielders, five infielders and one infielder/outfielder. Fifteen of these players have accrued Major League service time: Difo (4 years, 154 days), Bowman (4 years, 21 days), Calhoun (3 years, 66 days), Weber (3 years, 23 days), Ortega (2 years, 145 days), McKinney (2 years, 142 days), Bauers (2 years, 100 days), Hermosillo (2 years, 64 days), Norwood, (1 year, 169 days), Ramirez (1 year, 77 days), Danish (1 year, 37 days), Evans (166 days), Hamilton (126 days), Tully (15 days), Snelten (10 days).
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Bastidas, 24, has spent six minor league seasons in the Yankees organization (2016-19, ‘21-22), hitting .237 (279-for-1,179) with 183R, 43 doubles, 3 triples, 29HR, 143RBI, 110BB and 36SB in 341 combined games. He spent the entire 2022 season with Double-A Somerset, hitting .240 (95-for-396) with 56R, 18 doubles, 1 triple, 18HR, 55RBI, 38BB and 11SB in 111 games. Following the season, the infielder earned a 2022 Rawlings Minor League Gold Glove Award at second base. Bastidas was re-signed by the Yankees to a minor league contract on October 26, 2022. The Barquisimeto, Venezuela, native was originally signed by the Yankees as a non-drafted free agent on July 2, 2015.
Bauers, 27, has hit .213 (208-for-977) with 121R, 45 doubles, 3 triples, 27HR, 110RBI, 129BB and 15SB in 328 career games over three Major League seasons with the Tampa Bay Rays (2018), Cleveland Guardians (2019, ‘21) and Seattle Mariners (2021). He has appeared defensively in his career at first base (161G/128GS), left field (90G/74GS) and right field (27G/24GS). The left-handed batter began the 2022 season with Triple-A Louisville in the Cincinnati Reds organization, hitting .135 (13-for-96) with 7R, 4 doubles, 3HR, 12RBI, 19BB and 4SB in 29 games before being acquired by the Yankees on June 3, 2022, in exchange for cash considerations. In 32 games with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, he hit .226 (24-for-106) with 14R, 2 doubles, 1 triple, 5HR, 16RBI, 20BB and 4SB. Following the season, Bauers was re-signed by the Yankees as a minor league free agent on December 9, 2022. The Newport Beach, Calif., native was originally selected by the San Diego Padres in the seventh round of the 2013 First-Year Player Draft.
Bowman, 31, has made 183 career Major League relief appearances over parts of four seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals (2016-18) and Cincinnati Reds (2019), going 7-13 with two saves and a 4.02 ERA (181.1IP, 167H, 91R/81ER, 62BB, 149K, 14HR). The right-handed pitcher did not pitch in 2022. Bowman was originally signed by the Yankees to a two-year minor league contract on December 14, 2020, after undergoing “Tommy John” surgery on his right elbow on September 16, 2020. He was then re-signed as a minor league free agent on January 5, 2023. The Chevy Chase, Md., native was originally selected by the New York Mets in the 13th round of the 2012 First-Year Player Draft out of Princeton University.
Boyle, 26, has gone 24-9 with a 3.14 ERA (295.1IP, 244H, 125R/103ER, 65BB, 321K, 34HR) in 81 appearances (37 starts) over four minor league seasons with the Yankees (2018-19, ‘21-22). The right-handed pitcher went 13-5 with a 3.71 ERA (155.1IP, 71R/64ER, 34BB, 160K, 25HR) in 28 combined games (27 starts) with Double-A Somerset and Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in 2022. Boyle led Yankees minor leaguers this past season in wins, strikeouts, starts and innings pitched. Additionally, he earned Eastern League “Pitcher of the Month” honors in July 2022 with Somerset. The Selden, N.Y., native was selected by the Yankees in the 25th round of the 2018 First-Year Player Draft out of Dallas Baptist University (Tex.).
Breaux, 25, has spent four minor league seasons with the Yankees (2018-19, ‘21-22), hitting .244 (251-for-1,027) with 126R, 53 doubles, 2 triples, 55HR, 175RBI and 76BB in 265 games. In 2022, he hit .219 (81-for-370) with 44R, 14 doubles, 2 triples, 19HR, 50RBI, 31BB and 2SB in 94 combined games with Double-A Somerset and Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. His 19HR were tied for the fifth-most among Yankees minor leaguers. The Tomball, Tex., native was selected by the Yankees in the second round of the 2018 First-Year Player Draft out of McLennan Community College (Tex.).
Calhoun, 28, has played in 257 Major League games over parts of six seasons with the Texas Rangers (2017-22) and San Francisco Giants (2022), hitting .240 (205-for-854) with 98R, 34 doubles, 5 triples, 32HR, 104RBI and 66BB. The left-handed batter has appeared exclusively in left field in his Major League career (163G/149GS). In 22 combined games between the Rangers and Giants this past season, he hit .135 (7-for-52) with 7R, 3 doubles, 1HR, 3RBI and 9BB. Calhoun began the 2022 season with the Rangers before being acquired by the Giants on June 23, 2022, in exchange for OF Steven Duggar. He spent the majority of the season in the minors with Triple-A Round Rock and Triple-A Sacramento, hitting .264 (61-for-231) with 42R, 10 doubles, 10HR, 43RBI and 25BB in 63 combined games. He was designated for assignment by San Francisco on September 18, 2022. Calhoun was signed by the Yankees as a minor league free agent on January 12, 2023. The Vallejo, Calif., native was originally selected by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the fourth round of the 2015 First-Year Player Draft out of Yavapai College (Ariz.).
Chaparro, 23, has hit .251 (342-for-1,364) with 206R, 74 doubles, 8 triples, 52HR, 220RBI, 168BB and 12SB in 385 games over six minor league seasons in the Yankees organization (2016-19, ‘21-22). The right-handed batter combined to hit .296/.370/.592 (77-for-260) with 40R, 17 doubles, 20HR, 55RBI, 25BB and 4SB in 71 games with Double-A Somerset, the FCL Yankees and Single-A Tampa in 2022. His 20 homers were tied for the third-most among Yankees minor leaguers. Following the season, he was selected as an Eastern League Postseason All-Star and was named an Organization All-Star by MiLB.com. Chaparro was re-signed by the Yankees to a minor league contract on October 15, 2022. The El Vigia, Venezuela, native was originally signed by the Yankees as a non-drafted free agent on July 2, 2015.
Danish, 28, has made 43 career Major League appearances (one start) over parts of four Major League seasons with the Chicago White Sox (2016-18) and the Boston Red Sox (2022), recording a 5-1 record with a 5.06 ERA (53.1IP, 57H, 31R/30ER, 25BB, 43K, 9HR). The right-handed pitcher made 32 relief appearances for the Red Sox last season, going 3-1 with a 5.13 ERA (40.1IP, 40H, 24R/23ER, 12BB, 32K, 7HR). He missed 54 team games on the 15-day injured list due to a right forearm strain. Additionally, he made 10 combined relief appearances with Triple-A Worcester and Double-A Portland in 2022, posting a 4.09 ERA (11.0IP, 12H, 5ER, 8BB, 15K). Danish was signed by the Yankees as a minor league free agent on December 29, 2022. The Brandon, Fla., native was originally selected by the Chicago White Sox in the second round of the 2013 First-Year Player Draft.
Difo, 30, has batted .250 (295-for-1,179) with 158R, 36 doubles, 14 triples, 19HR, 103RBI, 106BB and 24SB in 492 games over parts of eight Major League seasons with the Washington Nationals (2015-20), Pittsburgh Pirates (2021) and Arizona Diamondbacks (2022). He has appeared defensively in his career at second base (183G/122GS), shortstop (114G/93GS), third base (55G/42GS), right field (11G/9GS), centerfield (6G/4GS) and left field (2G/1GS). In three games with the Diamondbacks, he went hitless in 6AB before being designated for assignment on September 12, 2022. The switch hitter spent the majority of the season with Triple-A Reno, hitting .269 (75-for-279) with 33R, 15 doubles, 7HR, 43RBI, 20BB and 4SB in 72 games. Following the season, he played for Águilas Cibaeñas in the Dominican Winter League. Difo was signed by the Yankees as a minor league free agent on December 22, 2022. The Santiago de los Caballeros, D.R., native was originally signed by the Washington Nationals as a non-drafted free agent on June 8, 2010.
Domínguez, who turns 20 today, has batted .266 (175-for-657) with 123R, 32 doubles, 8 triples, 21HR, 78RBI, 99BB and 46SB in 176 games over two minor league seasons (2021-22). In his first full season in 2022, he combined to hit .273 (123-for-451) with 92R, 23 doubles, 7 triples, 16HR, 59RBI, 72BB and 37SB in 120 games with Single-A Tampa, High-A Hudson Valley and Double-A Somerset. He led all Yankees minor leaguers in runs scored, ranked second in hits and total bases (208), tied for second in triples, third in walks, tied for third in extra-base hits (46), tied for fourth in stolen bases and fifth in doubles. The switch hitter participated in the 2022 SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game in Los Angeles, starting in centerfield and hitting a two-run homer. Following the season, he was tabbed by Baseball America as the Yankees’ No. 3 prospect and the No. 67 overall prospect in baseball, as well as being named the No. 47 overall prospect by MLB Pipeline. Additionally, he was named an Organization All-Star by MiLB.com, a Florida State League Postseason All-Star and the Florida State League’s “Top MLB Prospect.” Domínguez also played for the Mesa Solar Sox in the Arizona Fall League at the conclusion of the season and was named an AFL Fall Star. The Esperanza, D.R., native was signed by the Yankees as a non-drafted free agent on July 2, 2019.
Dunham, 24, has hit .255 (192-for-754) with 139R, 51 doubles, 5 triples, 30HR, 120RBI, 106BB and 65SB in 203 games over two minor league seasons in the Yankees organization (2021-22). The left-handed batter spent the entire 2022 season with Double-A Somerset, hitting .248 (103-for-415) with 67R, 26 doubles, 3 triples, 17HR, 63RBI, 59BB and 37SB in 110 games. Among Yankees farmhands, he ranked third in doubles, tied for third in extra-base hits (46), fourth in RBI, tied for fourth in stolen bases and tied for fifth in runs scored. Following the season, Dunham was selected as an Eastern League Postseason All-Star and named an Organization All-Star by MiLB.com. The Evansville, Ind., native was signed by the Yankees as a non-drafted free agent on June 18, 2020.
Durán, 24, owns a minor league career .240 (288-for-1,198) batting average with 142R, 61 doubles, 7 triples, 42HR, 145RBI and 62BB in 360 games over seven minor league seasons in the Philadelphia Phillies organization (2015-19, ‘21) and the Yankees organization (2022). The right-handed batter spent the entire 2022 season with Double-A Somerset, hitting .222 (45-for-203) with 20R, 12 doubles, 9HR, 33RBI and 11BB in 53 games. Following the season, he played for Estrellas Orientales in the Dominican Winter League. Durán was originally signed by the Yankees as a minor league free agent on December 15, 2021. He was then re-signed to a minor league contract on December 8, 2022. The Santo Domingo, D.R., native was originally signed by the Philadelphia Phillies as a non-drafted free agent on November 5, 2014.
Evans, 26, has gone 0-2 with a 4.75 ERA (30.1IP, 27H, 17R/16ER, 16BB, 37K, 5HR) in 29 career relief appearances over two Major League seasons with the Texas Rangers (2020-21). The right-handed pitcher spent the entire 2022 season with Triple-A Round Rock, going 2-3 with four saves and a 3.82 ERA (33.0IP, 22H, 15R/14ER, 22BB, 44K, 4HR) in 32 relief outings. Evans was signed by the Yankees as a minor league free agent on December 8, 2022. The Petal, Miss., native was originally selected by the Texas Rangers in the 25th round of the 2015 First-Year Player Draft.
Hamilton, 27, has gone 1-2 with a 4.91 ERA (14.2IP, 13H, 9R/8ER, 8BB, 9K, 3HR) in 15 career Major League outings between the Chicago White Sox (2018, ‘20) and Minnesota Twins (2022). The right-handed pitcher made one appearance with the Twins in 2022, tossing 2.2 innings of relief (3H, 2ER, 1BB, 1HR). Hamilton began the season in the Twins organization before being traded to the Cleveland Guardians on August 2, 2022, in exchange for C Sandy León. In 38 combined relief appearances with Triple-A St. Paul and Triple-A Columbus last season, he went 2-7 with two saves and a 3.61 ERA (47.1IP, 33H, 23R/19ER, 19BB, 60K, 6HR). Hamilton was signed by the Yankees as a minor league free agent on January 27, 2023. The Dover, N.H., native was originally drafted by the White Sox in the 11th round of the 2016 First-Year Player Draft out of Washington State University.
Hermosillo, 28, has batted .167 (33-for-198) with 26R, 9 doubles, 1 triple, 4HR, 17RBI, 17BB and 4SB in 103 career Major League games with the Los Angeles Angels (2018-20) and the Chicago Cubs (2021-22). He has appeared defensively in his career at all three outfield positions (51G/33GS in CF, 26G/11GS in LF and 22G/13GS in RF). Hermosillo played in 31 games for the Cubs in 2022, hitting .115 (7-for-61) with 7R, 2 doubles, 4RBI, 7BB and 1SB. The right-handed hitter was placed on the 10-day injured list on May 8, 2022, with a left quadriceps strain and transferred to the 60-day injured list on June 30, 2022. He played in 10 rehab assignment games with the Rookie-level ACL Cubs and Triple-A Iowa before being reinstated on September 6, 2022. He was then designated for assignment on September 27, 2022. Hermosillo was signed by the Yankees as a minor league free agent on December 14, 2022. The Mesa, Ariz., native was originally selected by the Los Angeles Angels in the 28th round of the 2013 First-Year Player Draft.
McKinney, 28, owns a .206 (142-for-690) batting average, with 87R, 33 doubles, 4 triples, 28HR, 72RBI, 66BB and 3SB in 263 career Major League games over parts of five seasons with the Yankees (2018), Toronto Blue Jays (2018-20), Milwaukee Brewers (2021), New York Mets (2021), Los Angeles Dodgers (2021) and Oakland Athletics (2022). He has appeared defensively in his career at all three outfield positions (115G/95GS in RF, 89G/72GS in LF and 3G in CF) and first base (27G/8GS). McKinney played in 23 games with the Athletics in 2022, hitting .096 (5-for-52) with 3R, 1 double, 1HR, 4RBI and 4BB. He spent the majority of the 2022 season with Triple-A Las Vegas, hitting .295 (74-for-251) with 48R, 13 doubles, 5 triples, 12HR, 49RBI, 36BB and 2SB in 69 games. The left-handed hitting outfielder previously appeared in two games with the Yankees in 2018, making his first career Opening Day roster and recording 1H in 4AB. He was originally acquired by the Yankees from the Chicago Cubs along with RHP Adam Warren, INF Gleyber Torres and OF Rashad Crawford in exchange for LHP Aroldis Chapman on July 25, 2016. McKinney was signed by the Yankees as a minor league free agent on December 19, 2022. The Dallas, Tex., native was originally selected by the Oakland Athletics in the first round (24th overall) of the 2013 First-Year Player Draft.
Narvaez, 24, has spent parts of six minor league seasons in the Yankees organization, (2016-19, ‘21-22), hitting .252 (255-for-1,011) with 155R, 40 doubles, 2 triples, 24HR, 135RBI, 157BB and 8SB in 300 games. In 2022, the right-handed hitting catcher spent the entire season with High-A Hudson Valley, hitting .194 (48-for-248) with 37R, 12 doubles, 1 triple, 11HR, 35RBI, 45BB and 4SB in 79 games. Narvaez was re-signed by the Yankees to a minor league contract on October 21, 2022. The Maracay, Venezuela, native was signed by the Yankees as a non-drafted free agent on July 2, 2015.
Norwood, 29, has made 48 career relief appearances over parts of five Major League seasons with the Chicago Cubs (2018-20), San Diego Padres (2021) and Philadelphia Phillies (2022), going 1-2 with a 5.48 ERA (44.1IP, 57H, 31R/27ER, 26BB, 46K, 3HR). Norwood began the 2022 season with the Phillies, going 1-0 with an 8.31 ERA (17.1IP, 24H, 17R/16ER, 9BB, 22K, 2HR) in 20 relief appearances. He was then acquired by the Boston Red Sox on June 18, 2022, in exchange for cash considerations. The right-hander pitched the rest of the season with Triple-A Worcester, going 0-1 with a 4.87 ERA (20.1IP, 19H, 13R/11ER, 11BB, 24K, 0HR) in 15 appearances. Norwood was signed by the Yankees as a minor league free agent on December 9, 2022. The New York, N.Y., native was originally selected by the Chicago Cubs in the seventh round of the 2014 First-Year Player Draft out of Saint Louis University (Mo.).
Ortega, 31, has batted .250 (256-for-1,022) with 120R, 42 doubles, 4 triples, 21HR, 101RBI, 106BB and 41SB in 364 career games over parts of six Major League seasons with the Colorado Rockies (2012), Los Angeles Angels (2016), Miami Marlins (2018), Atlanta Braves (2019) and Chicago Cubs (2021-22). The left-handed batter spent the 2022 season with the Cubs, hitting .241 (76-for-316) with 35R, 14 doubles, 1 triple, 7HR, 35RBI, 44BB and 12SB in 118 games. He missed the final 20 games of the season after being placed on the 60-day injured list on September 14, 2022, with a right ring finger fracture. Ortega was signed by the Yankees as a minor league free agent on December 24, 2022. The El Tigre, Venezuela, native was originally signed by the Colorado Rockies as a non-drafted free agent on January 30, 2008.
Ramirez, 33, has gone 6-5, with a 4.55 ERA (110.2IP, 107H, 67R/56ER, 46BB, 99K, 16HR) in 64 career Major League relief appearances over parts of three seasons with the Detroit Tigers (2019-20) and San Diego Padres (2021). The left-handed pitcher spent the entire 2022 season with Triple-A Tacoma in the Seattle Mariners organization, going 3-4 with 16 saves and a 2.93 ERA (55.1IP, 49H, 21R/18ER, 15BB, 53K, 4HR) in 53 relief appearances. His 16 saves led the Pacific Coast League and were tied for the third-most among Triple-A relievers. Ramirez was signed by the Yankees as a minor league free agent on December 9, 2022. The Anaheim Hills, Calif., native was originally selected by the Milwaukee Brewers in the fourth round of the 2011 First-Year Player Draft out of Cal State Fullerton.
Santos, 24, spent the first six seasons of his professional career in the Atlanta Braves organization (2016-19, ‘21-22), going 15-15 with four saves and a 3.38 ERA (256.0IP, 214H, 129R/96ER, 154BB, 304K, 12HR) in 123 minor league appearances (22 starts). In 2022, the left-handed pitcher went 4-5 with two saves and a 4.09 ERA (66.0IP, 54H, 35R/30ER, 36BB, 102K, 7HR) in 37 combined games (four starts) with High-A Rome and Double-A Mississippi. Santos was signed by the Yankees as a minor league free agent on December 8, 2022. The Santiago de los Caballeros, D.R., native was originally signed by the Braves as a non-drafted free agent on July 2, 2016.
Seigler, 23, has hit .226 (145-for-641) with 106R, 39 doubles, 1 triple, 12HR, 84RBI, 148BB and 18SB in 192 games over four seasons in the Yankees organization (2018-19, ‘21-22). He split the 2022 season between Single-A Tampa and High-A Hudson Valley, hitting .236 (74-for-314) with 61R, 21 doubles, 7HR, 45RBI, 91BB and 16SB in 97 games. The switch-hitting catcher led Yankees farmhands in walks, ranked sixth in doubles and eighth in runs scored. The Phoenix, Ariz., native was selected by the Yankees in the first round (23rd overall) of the 2018 First-Year Player Draft.
Snelten, 30, has made four career Major League relief appearances, all in 2018 with the San Francisco Giants (4.1IP, 9H, 6R/5ER, 3BB, 4K, 2HR). Over parts of six minor league seasons in the Giants and Baltimore Orioles organizations (2013-18), he has gone 27-24 with two saves and a 3.31 ERA (410.1IP, 414H, 193R/151ER, 148BB, 407K, 16HR). Additionally, he spent the entire 2020 season at the Tampa Bay Rays’ Alternate Site and pitched for the Chicago Dogs of the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball in 2019. Snelten was signed by the Yankees to a two-year minor league contract on August 5, 2022. The Lake Forest Ill., native was originally drafted by the San Francisco Giants in the ninth round of the 2013 First-Year Player Draft out of the University of Minnesota.
Spence, 24, has gone 15-16 with four saves and a 4.27 ERA (263.1IP, 253H, 138R/125ER, 83BB, 274K, 28HR) in 66 games (45 starts) over three minor league seasons in the Yankees organization (2019, ‘21-22). In 2022, he went 6-7 with a 4.70 ERA (130.1IP, 138H, 73R/68ER, 42BB, 127K, 17HR) in 27 combined games (25 starts) with Double-A Somerset and Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Spence ranked third among Yankees farmhands in innings pitched, tied for third in games started and sixth in strikeouts. The Kirkland, Wash., native was selected by the Yankees in the 10th round of the 2019 First-Year Player Draft out of the University of South Carolina-Aiken.
Tully, 28, spent his first six professional seasons in the Cleveland Guardians organization (2016-19, ‘21-22), going 39-46 with three saves and a 3.99 ERA (696.1IP, 771H, 366R/309ER, 138BB, 514K, 64HR) in 140 minor league games (112 starts). He saw his first Major League action in 2022 with the Guardians, appearing in three games in relief (6.0IP, 8H, 4ER, 6BB, 2K, 1HR). The left-handed pitcher spent the majority of the season with Triple-A Columbus, going 8-6 with one complete-game shutout and a 4.72 ERA (122.0IP, 142H, 70R/64ER, 26BB, 98K, 12HR) in 24 games (20 starts). Tully was signed by the Yankees as a minor league free agent on December 12, 2022. The Elkhart, Ind., native was originally selected by Cleveland in the 26th round of the 2016 First-Year Player Draft out of Ohio State University.
Volpe, 21, has spent three minor league seasons in the Yankees organization (2019, ‘21-22), hitting .262 (274-for-1044) with 218R, 77 doubles, 13 triples, 50HR, 162RBI, 166BB and 89SB in 275 games. In 132 combined games with Double-A Somerset and Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre this past season, he hit .249 (127-for-511) with 86R, 35 doubles, 5 triples, 21HR, 65RBI, 65BB and 50SB. The right-handed hitter led Yankees farmhands in hits, doubles, XBH (61), total bases (235) and stolen bases, while ranking second in runs scored and homers, tied for second in RBI, tied for fourth in triples and fifth in walks. Volpe was the only player in the minors to record at least 20HR and 50SB, becoming the first player to accomplish the feat since Andruw Jones in 1995. Following the season, he was tabbed by Baseball America as the No. 1 prospect in the Yankees organization and No. 14 prospect in baseball. Additionally, the publication labeled him as the “Best Hitter for Average” and “Best Strike-Zone Discipline” in the Yankees system. Volpe was also ranked by MLB Pipeline as the No. 5 overall prospect in baseball and was named an Organization All-Star by MiLB.com. The Watchung, N.J., native was selected by the Yankees in the first round (30th overall) of the 2019 First-Year Player Draft.
Weber, 32, has gone 4-12 with a 5.02 ERA (177.2IP, 192H, 105R/99ER, 40BB, 110K, 29HR) in 68 games (16 starts) over eight Major League seasons with the Atlanta Braves (2015-16), Seattle Mariners (2017, ‘21), Tampa Bay Rays (2018), Boston Red Sox (2019-21), Milwaukee Brewers (2021) and the Yankees (2022). The right-handed pitcher made five relief appearances with the Yankees in 2022, posting a 0.84 ERA (10.2IP, 6H, 1ER, 1BB, 3K, 1HR). He also pitched in 15 games (eight starts) with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, going 3-4 with a 3.86 ERA (39.2IP, 43H, 23R/17ER, 5BB, 27K, 6HR). Weber was originally signed by the Yankees to a minor league contract on November 30, 2021. He was then re-signed by the Yankees as a minor league free agent on December 12, 2022. The St. Petersburg, Fla., native was originally selected by the Atlanta Braves in the 22nd round of the 2009 First-Year Player Draft out of St. Petersburg College (Fla.).
Wells, 23, has hit .270 (194-for-718) with 142R, 40 doubles, 6 triples, 36HR, 141RBI, 127BB and 32SB in 195 games over two minor league seasons in the Yankees organization (2021-22). He combined with High-A Hudson Valley, Single-A Tampa and Double-A Somerset to hit .277/.385/.512 (93-for-336) with 60R, 17 doubles, 1 triple, 20HR, 65RBI, 56BB and 16SB in 92 games in 2022. Among Yankees farmhands, Wells ranked second in slugging percentage, was tied for second in RBI, tied for third in homers and ranked fifth in OPS (.897). Following the season, the catcher was tabbed by Baseball America as the No. 5 prospect in the Yankees organization and the No. 94 overall prospect in baseball. Additionally, the publication labeled him as the “Best Power Hitter” among Yankees farmhands. He was also named an Organization All-Star by MiLB.com. The Las Vegas, Nev., native was selected by the Yankees in the first round (28th overall) of the 2020 First-Year Player Draft out of the University of Arizona.
Westbrook, 27, owns a .277 batting average (1,014-for-3,657) with 538R, 196 doubles, 28 triples, 99HR, 499RBI, 285BB and 45SB in 993 career minor league games with the Arizona Diamondbacks (2013-19), Milwaukee Brewers (2021-22) and Detroit Tigers (2022) organizations. He began the season with Triple-A Nashville in the Brewers organization before being traded to Detroit on April 12, 2022, and assigned to Triple-A Toledo. In 123 combined games between Nashville and Toledo last season, he hit .254 (109-for-429) with 58R, 22 doubles, 11HR, 48RBI and 54BB. Westbrook was signed by the Yankees as a minor league free agent on December 8, 2022. The Gilbert, Ariz., native was originally selected by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the fifth round of the 2013 First-Year Player Draft.
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In addition, the Yankees signed RHP Art Warren to a two-year minor league contract for 2023-24 with an invitation to 2024 spring training. Warren underwent “Tommy John” surgery on his right elbow on September 21, 2022.