New York releases Aaron Hicks, recalls RHP Randy Vasquez from Triple-A

New York releases Aaron Hicks, recalls RHP Randy Vasquez from Triple-A

April 13, 2023;  Bronx, New York, USA;  New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Hicks (31) at Yankee Stadium.
April 13, 2023; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Hicks (31) at Yankee Stadium. / Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports

Here’s a look at the latest changes to the Yankees roster…

May 26, 3:45 p.m

The Yankees have officially released OF Aaron Hicks on Friday after being designated for assignment on May 20.

The 33-year-old Hicks had a tough time this season, going .188/.263/.261 in 28 games for New York. Over 651 games and eight seasons in pinstripes, Hicks finishes his Yankee career with a .230/.337/.398 slash to go along with 81 home runs and 278 RBI.

Hicks said he “loved being a Yankee” after becoming DFA’d and called it “the best time of my career”.

In addition, the Yanks recalled RHP Randy Vasquez from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre as he is about to make his MLB debut and start against the San Diego Padres on Friday night. The 24-year-old originally signed as a 19-year-old from the Dominican Republic in 2018 and has become the No. 12 in the Yankees organization, according to MLB Pipeline.

He went 1-5 in nine Triple-A starts this season and threw for a 4.85 ERA with 50 strikeouts and a 1.57 WHIP.

May 25, 3:45 p.m

The Yankees call right-handed pitcher Randy Vasquez to make his MLB debut and start Friday’s game against the San Diego Padres, according to Brian Hoch of MLB.com.

Throwing Vasquez on Friday will give Luis Severino an extra rest day before making only his second start of the season since coming down with an IL strain.

According to MLB Pipeline, 24-year-old Vasquez is ranked No. 12 in the Yankees’ organization. He was originally signed as a 19-year-old from the Dominican Republic in 2018.

May 20, 8:20 p.m

After Saturday’s 7-4 victory over the Reds, the Yankees announced their selection of RHP Johnny Brito to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barres.

While a corresponding move has not been officially made, with Luis Severino scheduled to make his 2023 debut on Sunday, the Yankees are likely to make room for their starter.

Brito started Saturday’s game, in which he threw four innings. He gave up four hits, four runs and four walks while striking out six. In 10 games (nine starts), Brito pitched to a 3-3 record with a 5.58 ERA and 1.49 WHIP.

May 20, 1:40 PM

After a rare trade with the Red Sox to acquire an outfielder Greg Allenwho had played for Boston’s Triple-A affiliate, the Yankees’ designated outfielder Aaron Hicks for assignment, the team announced on Saturday.

Allen, who played in 15 games for the Yankees in 2021, had made 37 appearances this season with Triple-A, hitting .250/.407/.388 with 11 extra-base hits in 116 at bats. The speedy 30-year-old also had 23 steals without getting caught.

“Switch-hitter, versatility, good in role, can run,” manager Aaron Boonen said about Allen on Friday. “He can do that very well. He has played here before and has done very well for us in the past. An opportunity to add some depth.”

In 28 games for New York, Hicks had downed .188/.263/.261 with a .524 OPS and 47 OPS+, which is well below average. The 33-year-old had only 13 hits in 69 at bats this season with two doubles, a homerun and five RBI’s. Over the past three seasons, Hicks has struggled to produce, posting only a .625 OPS and 78 OPS+ in his last 190 games.

The move comes after he played the last two games and hit three hits in four at bats in Thursday’s victory in Toronto, before striking out two batters in two at bats in Friday’s victory over the Reds.

Hicks has two years left on his contract with the Yanks and must pay $9.79 million in both 2024 and 2025 after signing a seven-year, $70 million deal ahead of the 2019 season.

May 20, 9:45 am

After Friday’s victory over the Cincinnati Reds, the Yankees announced infielder Oswald Peraza had completed his rehab assignment and was reinstated from the 10-day injured list and optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Peraza injured his ankle sliding into second base in a game on May 3, but was not placed on the IL until May 9 when the club was activated Aaron Judge of the IL.

In 12 games this season, the 23-year old had only six basehits in 32 at bats with one double and 3 RBI. He cut .188/.316/.219 with a .545 OPS.

In 13 games with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, Peraza hit .359/.414/.566 with a .980 OPS. He has 19 hits in 53 at-bats, including two doubles and three home runs with 11 RBI.

May 11, 1:30 p.m

The Yankees announced their selection prior to Thursday night’s game against the Tampa Bay Rays Ryan Weber to the active list.

Weber spent last season between the Yankees Major League and Triple-A roster. He made 15 appearances with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, posting a 3.86 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 27 strikeouts in 39.2 innings.

He allowed only one run in five big league-level appearances. So far in Triple-A, Weber’s started five games and threw for a 5.77 ERA.

In a corresponding roster, the Yankees moved Jonathan Loaisiga on the list of 60 days injured.

The right-hander, who has pitched just 3.1 innings this season, underwent surgery to remove a bone spur in his elbow. He is now not eligible to return from the IL until June 5.

In addition, the Yankees recovered the catcher Ben Rotvedt of the 10-day IL and optioned him for Triple-A.

April 29, 11:50 PM

The Yankees announced Saturday morning that they have officially signed Jack Bauers to a major league contract and they added him to the major league roster.

Of Aaron Judge Bauers was a little confused in recent days, joining the Yankees’ taxi team at the start of their series in Texas. New York will provide an update on the outfielder’s status later today.

If Judge evades the IL and misses just a few days, Bauers can at least give the Yanks some insurance. The veteran has played first and both corner positions in the outfield in his big league-career.

Before being called up, Bauers hit .304 with a 1,245 OPS, nine home runs, five doubles, and 20 RBI in Triple-A. He also put up a strong spring, hitting .407 in 13 games.

In a corresponding roster move, New York transferred Lou Trivino on the list of 60 days injured. The right-hander, who has yet to throw this season, is struggling with a UCL strain in his throwing elbow.

April 28, 11:35 p.m

After the Yankees lost 5-2 to the Rangers on Friday night, the team announced they had selected INF/OF Franci Cordero to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

In 18 games (53 at-bats), the 28-year-old hit .151/.182/.578 with four home runs and 11 RBI.

While Cordero’s numbers haven’t been good lately, he was crucial in the first few weeks of the 2023 season. From April 3-12, Cordero batted .280, but launched four home runs and 11 RBI. Since then, he would not hit another home run or drive in another run.

April 25, 4:22 PM

The Yankees announced on Tuesday that they have signed LHP Nick Ramirez to a major league contract and selected him for the active roster.

Ramirez, 33, last appeared in the majors in 2021 with the San Diego Padres. In 13 appearances, Ramirez had a 5.75 ERA in 20.1 innings pitched. Last season, Ramirez signed a minor league contract with the Seattle Mariners, but failed to make it out of Triple-A with the club.

In a corresponding move, the team opted for RHP Greg Weissert to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes/Barre.

On Tuesday, Weissert appeared in four games this season, pitching to a 2.08 ERA in 4.1 innings.

April 14, 3:25 p.m

The Yankees announced on Friday that they have called up the pitcher Greg Weissert of Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and designated pitcher Colten Brewer for assignment.

The move comes after the Yankees bullpen was charged Thursday for 8.1 innings of relief in an 11-2 loss to the Minnesota Twins after starter Johnny Brito failed to get out of the first. New York’s 40-man roster now stands at 30 after the move.

Brewer joined the Yankees’ Opening Day roster after spring training in the Tampa Bay Rays’ organization. The 30-year old appeared in three games this season and gave up four runs (all earned) on six hits, while walking three and striking out four in 8.1 innings pitched (4.32 ERA). The right-hander was bitten three times by the long ball in his final appearance against the Twins on Thursday night.

If Brewer approves waivers, he has the right to decline the assignment and choose free agency.

The 28-year old Weisset played in 12 games for the Yanks last season – his first major league-level appearance. The right hand gave up seven runs (all earned) on six hits while walking five batters and striking out 11 in 11.1 innings (5.56 ERA).

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