Yanks claim OF Thompson from Reds, add RHP Poteet (report)

January 4th, 2024

As the Yankees turn their attention toward 2024, this page will continue to be updated throughout the offseason.

Jan. 4: RHP Cody Poteet agrees to one-year deal (report)
The 29-year-old Poteet last pitched in the Majors for the Marlins in 2022, and spent all of 2023 rehabbing from Tommy John surgery. He owns a career 4.45 ERA in 58 2/3 innings across 19 big league appearances, nine of them starts, all with Miami. The New York Post reported the deal, which has not been confirmed by the club.

Jan. 4: OF Bubba Thompson claimed off waivers from Reds
Thompson, 25, batted .170 with 10 runs, four doubles, one triple, four RBIs, four walks and four steals in 37 games with the Rangers in 2023. He also appeared with Texas’ Triple-A Round Rock and the Kansas City Royals’ Triple-A Omaha last season, combining to hit .259 in 65 games. He was claimed off waivers by Cincinnati in October then designated for assignment on Dec. 28.

Over parts of two Major League seasons with Texas (2022-23), the outfielder has hit .242 with 28 runs, nine doubles, one triple, one homer, 13 RBIs, 11 walks and 22 steals in 92 career games. Thompson has appeared defensively at all three outfield positions in his career, playing 61 games (45 starts) in left field, 15 games (10 starts) in right field and 11 games (10 starts) in center field.

Morris, 27, posted a 6.75 ERA in six relief appearances for Cleveland this past season. Over 13 career appearances (five starts) spanning two big league seasons (2022-23), Morris is 1-2 with a 3.41 ERA to go with 32 strikeouts in 31 2/3 innings.

Over parts of four big league seasons with the Yanks, Florial has hit .209 (24-for-115) in 48 career games.

Dec. 15: OF Billy McKinney traded to Pirates for international bonus pool money
So ends the latest chapter of Billy McKinney’s Yankees career, as the journeyman outfielder was flipped to Pittsburgh for international bonus pool money. McKinney, 29, made his MLB debut with New York in 2018 and played for five other teams before returning to the Bronx in 2023, when he hit .227/.320/.406 with six homers and 14 RBIs in 48 games.

Dec. 7: OF Juan Soto and OF Trent Grisham acquired from Padres for RHP Michael King, C Kyle Higashioka, RHP Randy Vásquez, RHP Jhony Brito and RHP Drew Thorpe Full story>>

Dec. 5: OF Alex Verdugo acquired from Red Sox for three pitchers
Verdugo, 27, heads to the Bronx for three right-handers: Richard Fitts (the Yankees’ No. 12 prospect per MLB Pipeline), Greg Weissert and Nicholas Judice.

The move for Verdugo should not take the Yankees out of the running for a potential Juan Soto trade or Cody Bellinger signing. General manager Brian Cashman has said he is searching this offseason for two outfielders to join Aaron Judge, preferably left-handed hitters. More>>

Dec. 1: OF Oscar Gonzalez claimed off waivers from Cleveland  
Gonzalez, who turns 26 in January, enjoyed fan-favorite status in Cleveland when he began using the “SpongeBob SquarePants” theme song as walk-up music for his at-bats in 2022 while helping to power the Guardians during their postseason run. More>>

Nov. 20: RHP Yerry De Los Santos signs with Yanks
De Los Santos, who turns 26 on Dec. 12, posted a 3.33 ERA over 22 appearances with the Pirates last season. A sinker-heavy pitcher, De Los Santos has incuded a high ground-ball rate during his brief time in the Majors — though he’s also battled some control issues.

The righty had 18 strikeouts and 13 walks over 24 1/3 innings with Pittsburgh in 2023. Overall, he has averaged 4.3 walks per nine innings and has a 1.8 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 50 big league innings.

LHP Nestor Cortes (left rotator cuff strain)
Expected return: 2024
Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Cortes began a throwing program on Dec. 4 and is targeting a normal ramp-up to Spring Training.

He underwent an MRI exam on Aug. 10 after being unable to play catch, and it showed a re-aggravation of the left rotator cuff strain that cost him two months earlier in the season. (Last updated: Dec. 4)

LHP Anthony Misiewicz
Expected return: 2024
Misiewicz was struck on the head by a 100.6 mph line drive in the Yankees’ Sept. 15 game against the Pirates at PNC Park. He was released from Allegheny General Hospital the following day after his tests, and scans came back well. Misiewicz saw a doctor in New York on Sept. 18 and was still experiencing symptoms at that point, according to manager Aaron Boone. (Last updated: Oct. 1)

RHP Tommy Kahnle (right shoulder inflammation)
Expected return: 2024
Kahnle last pitched on Sept. 20 vs. Toronto, when he issued four walks and threw two wild pitches in two-thirds of an inning. He was placed on the 15-day injured list on Sept. 25, retroactive to Sept. 22, ending his 2023 season. Yankees manager Aaron Boone characterized the issue as the usual wear and tear of a baseball season. (Last updated: Oct. 1)

RHP Albert Abreu (right hamstring strain)
Expected return: 2024
Abreu had been dealing with the hamstring issue intermittently, according to manager Aaron Boone. Boone said that “he’s talked about something that’s lingered off and on a little bit all year.” Abreu last pitched on Sept. 7. (Last updated: Oct. 1)

C Jose Trevino (right wrist tear)
Expected return: 2024
Trevino had season-ending surgery to repair a torn TFCC ligament in his right wrist on July 27. Trevino said that he had been playing through the injury since Spring Training and knew that surgery was inevitable, but he had hoped to get through the season. Generally speaking, the recovery time for surgery is approximately 12 weeks.

Trevino said on Sept. 24 that he was progressing well and would begin hitting in the coming weeks. He expects to be a full go for Spring Training in February. The Yankees placed Trevino on the 10-day injured list on July 21, retroactive to July 18. (Last updated: Oct. 1)

RHP Scott Effross (Tommy John surgery)
Expected return: 2024
Effross underwent Tommy John surgery in October 2022 and began a throwing program on March 6. Effross was scheduled to throw live batting practice sessions in September and early October. He said that “if everything continues on the same track, then definitely” he will be ready for Spring Training in ’24. Effross was placed on the 60-day injured list on March 30. (Last updated: Oct. 1)

RHP Lou Trivino (Tommy John surgery)
Expected return: 2024
Trivino underwent season-ending Tommy John surgery on May 3 in Los Angeles, with Dr. Neal ElAttrache performing the procedure. Trivino experienced discomfort near his right elbow after an April live batting practice session. (Last updated: Oct. 1)

OF Jasson Domínguez (right ulnar collateral ligament tear)
Expected return: June or July 2024
Domínguez was diagnosed with a partial tear of the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow on Sept. 10. He underwent Tommy John surgery on Sept. 20, which included the addition of internal bracing. Dr. Keith Meister performed the procedure in Arlington, Texas.

The Yankees said that Domínguez’s anticipated recovery process is expected to take 9-10 months. The hope is that Domínguez can resume swinging a bat before 2024 Spring Training, which would allow him to engage in baseball exercises by the time the club breaks camp.

“We’re excited about the player we think he’s going to be,” manager Aaron Boone said. “There’s still a lot of development to be had there. First things first is getting through this and hopefully going through a really good winter of rehab.” (Last updated: Sept. 20)

RHP Jonathan Loáisiga (right elbow inflammation)
Expected return: 2024
Loáisiga last pitched on Sept. 9 vs. Milwaukee and was placed on the injured list prior to a Sept. 12 doubleheader in Boston. Loáisiga missed 106 games earlier this season while recovering from right elbow inflammation and the removal of a bone spur. (Last updated: Sept. 12)

RHP Luis Gil (Tommy John surgery)
Expected return: 2024
Gil began a Minor League rehab assignment with Single-A Tampa on Sept. 1 to continue his path towards a return to the Majors. He underwent Tommy John surgery in May 2022. (Last updated: Sept. 1)