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Just after the start of the Yankees’ exhibition game against the Tigers on Friday, the team announced a number of moves to cut down their roster. It’s the first time this spring that the Yankees have made a big batch of changes to give fans a better idea of who might make the club on Opening Day.
Reliever Adam Warren was likely the most prominent roster contender demoted to minor league camp. He had been a non-roster invitee and appeared to be healthy after recovering from Tommy John surgery in the past year and a half, but despite throwing three scoreless innings across three games in spring training, the Yankees seemingly did not think that his repertoire was MLB-caliber at this point. Barring a rash of bullpen injuries, he’ll have to work his way back into the team’s good graces at the alternate site in April.
A number of notable prospects were farmed out to various minor league clubs, too. Outfielder Estevan Florial will head to Triple-A Scranton, right-handed pitcher Luis Gil will report to Double-A Somerset, and fellow righty Yoendrys Gómez will go to Low-A Tampa. Three prospects were sent to High-A Hudson Valley: right-handers Luis Medina and Alexander Vizcaíno, and infielder Oswald Peraza. A good chunk of these prospects should play a key role in the Yankees’ future, but it’s not their time just yet.
The following players were also demoted, though just to the minor league camp and no specific level just yet. 2020 first-round draft pick, catcher Austin Wells, is among this batch, and it’s no shame for him to be sent down, as he has certainly impressed the Yankees’ brass in camp.
- C Josh Breaux
- C Kellin Deglan
- C Max McDowell
- C Anthony Seigler
- C Austin Wells
- INF Armando Alvarez
- INF Ezequiel Duran
- INF Chris Gittens
- INF Hoy Jun Park
- OF Trey Amburgey
- OF Michael Beltre
- OF Thomas Milone
- RHP Glenn Otto
- RHP Adam Warren
- LHP Trevor Lane
It’s worth noting that we still might very well see some of these names appear in the Yankees’ spring training road games when Aaron Boone doesn’t want to bring his full club, but they will not be in any serious roster consideration unless something bad happens.
Here are the non-roster invitees who are still around:
- C Rob Brantly
- C Robinson Chirinos (recently injured)
- INF Derek Dietrich
- INF Andrew Velazquez
- OF Greg Allen
- OF Socrates Brito
- OF Jay Bruce
- OF Ryan LaMarre
- RHP Kyle Barraclough
- RHP Jhoulys Chacín
- LHP Nestor Cortes Jr.
- RHP Luis García
- RHP Nick Goody
- LHP Lucas Luetge
- LHP Tyler Lyons
- RHP Reggie McClain
- RHP Addison Russ
- RHP Asher Wojciechowski