Yanks claim former 1st-round selection Trammell off waivers
The Yankees are adding a former first-round pick and top100 prospect to their bench. The club claimed outfielder Taylor Trammell off waivers from the Dodgers on Thursday and designated infielder Kevin Smith for assignment to make room on the roster. Trammell, 26, is a left-handed bat who has flashed some pop and speed in the minors but has not been able to translate that consistently enough to the majors. Across parts of four seasons in the big leagues, Trammell has hit .165 with a .627 OPS, 15 home runs and four steals in 121 games. In 604 minor league games, he has hit .271 with a .805 OPS, 71 home runs and 143 steals. The Georgia native brings experience in all three outfield spots. At least until DJ LeMahieu returns from the injured list (which could be as soon as next week), Trammell will offer depth on the bench alongside outfielder Trent Grisham and second baseman/left fielder Jahmai Jones. Smith had been called up from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre last weekend when utility infielder Jon Berti was placed on the 10-day injured list with a left groin strain. The roster move leaves the Yankees without a backup shortstop — Oswaldo Cabrera can move over there but he is starting every day at third base, and the Yankees would only use Jones at third base in a pinch. Jones has also been taking ground balls recently at shortstop in pregame work, thoug h he has never played there professionally.
➤ In part because of injuries, the Yankees’ current bench is not overflowing with pinch-hit options.
But Jose Trevino was ready for his chance on Wednesday and delivered the game-tying single off lefty Tim Mayza in the ninth inning on the way to a 6-4 win over the Blue Jays.
“[I like] the opportunity,” Trevino said. “Whether I succeed or fail or whatever it is, I almost feel like it’s a thing for me to where I just get it in the back of my head so every time I do get in that situation, it helps me.”
The clutch hit capped off a strong road trip offensively for Trevino, who has had an even playing split with Wells. In four games (three starts) against the Guardians and Blue Jays, Trevino went 6-for-12 with a home run, walk and four RBIs after starting the season 1-for-18 with three walks through his first six games.
“I like where I’m at,” Trevino said. “Working with some of the hitting coaches here, just working on the little things. Just moving the needle forward.”
➤ Ben Rortvedt will be in town with the Rays this weekend — and likely catching at least one of the three games as part of a tandem with Rene Pinto — entering the series batting .320 a .852 OPS across 10 games. The Yankees dealt Rortvedt to the Rays in a three-way trade that netted the Yankees infielder Berti on the eve of Opening Day.