Yankees sign outfielder Tim Locastro
The New York Yankees announced today that they have signed OF Tim Locastro to a one-year Major League contract.
Locastro, 29, has batted .231 (100-for-432) with 74R, 21 doubles, 3 triples, 5HR, 31RBI, 31BB and 31SB in 209 games over parts of five Major League seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers (2017-18), Arizona Diamondbacks (2019-21) and Yankees (2021). The right-handed hitter has appeared at all three outfield positions in his career, playing 65 games in center field, 58 games in left field and 40 games in right field.
In 2021, he batted .180 (25-for-139) with 15R, 4 doubles, 2HR, 7RBI, 7BB and 5SB in 64 combined games between the Arizona Diamondbacks and Yankees. Locastro began the 2021 season with Arizona before he was acquired by the Yankees in exchange for RHP Keegan Curtis on July 1, 2021. The Auburn, N.Y., native hit his only home run with the Yankees on July 11, 2021, becoming the fifth New York-born Yankee to homer for the club since 1993, joining Alex Rodriguez (351HR from 2004-13, ‘15-16), Raul Ibañez (19HR in 2012), John Flaherty (12HR from 2003-05) and Clay Bellinger (12HR from 1999-2001).
Locastro suffered a right ACL injury on July 17, 2021 and underwent surgery on his right knee on July 21, 2021, missing the remainder of the season. He was claimed off waivers by the Boston Red Sox on November 5, 2021 and non-tendered on November 20, 2021.
Locastro was originally selected by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 13th round of the 2013 First-Year Player Draft out of Ithaca College (N.Y.). He was acquired by Los Angeles-NL along with RHP Chase De Jong from Toronto in exchange for international signing money on July 2, 2015. He was then acquired by the Yankees from Los Angeles-NL in exchange for RHP Drew Finley and cash considerations on November 21, 2018. On January 14, 2019, he was designated for assignment by the Yankees and traded to Arizona on January 16, 2019 in exchange for LHP Ronald Roman and cash considerations.
The Yankees’ 40-man roster now stands at 40.