Yankees Add Veteran Bat to Their Bench
The New York Yankees have added former major‑league outfielder Randal Grichuk to a minor‑league contract, designating him as a non‑roster invitee for spring training. The move gives the club another right‑hand hitter who can slot into a platoon role without taking a guaranteed spot on the 40‑man roster.
What Grichuk Brings
- Platoon value: 34‑year‑old Grichuk is expected to compete for a bench spot behind Aaron Boone during the preseason.
- Left‑y pitcher advantage: Over the last three seasons, he batted .317/.367/.573 against southpaws, hitting 25 homers and 34 doubles in fewer than 500 plate appearances—ranking him fifth among hitters with at least 450 opportunities against lefties.
- Veteran presence: The Yankees already have strong left‑handed backups (Paul Goldschmidt, Amed Rosario). Adding Grichuk would balance the roster with a solid right‑hander.
Recent Performance
Grichuk’s most recent season was disappointing. With the Royals he posted a .228/.273/.401 line and struggled against lefties, hitting only .227/.273/.430 in 183 at‑bats. The Yankees will monitor his short‑side performance during spring training before deciding whether to keep him on the roster.
Contract Details
- Non‑roster invitee: The contract includes three opt‑out dates—five days before Opening Day, May 1, and June 1.
- Minor‑league assignment: If not added to the 40‑man roster, he will remain in the organization’s minor‑league system.
Outlook
The Yankees will evaluate Grichuk’s spring training performance to determine if he can help fill a right‑handed gap or whether the team will keep him in the minors.
