ARLINGTON, Texas — Randal Grichuk’s time with the Yankees appears over already.
Signed as a free agent early into spring training, the veteran outfielder was designated for assignment before Wednesday’s Yankees-Rangers game to free up a roster spot for rookie right-hander Elmer Rodriguez.
Called up from Triple-A on Wednesday, Rodriguez will make his major-league debut by starting the series finale at Globe Life Field.
A right-handed hitter, Grichuk received 11 starts against left-handed pitching – 10 in left field and one in right – but hit only .194 and two RBIs in 16 games. He hit 20-or-more homers five times in his first 12 major-league seasons, but had none in 33 plate appearances with the Yankees.
Grichuk made the Yankees’ Opening Day roster as part of their four-man bench, but all along it appeared like he’d have a tough time sticking long-term with shortstop Anthony Volpe due to return from offseason labrum surgery early in the season.
“Difficult decision (to DFA Grichuk) just because I feel like Randal’s come in here and fit in really well,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. Despite, numbers wise, a slow start, I feel like he’s shown us the at-bats we’ve wanted to see from him when he’s got his opportunities against left-handed pitching.
“But just the fit right now, with me not catching (Ben) Rice much, (Paul Goldschmidt) being the backup first base and not having that kind of position flexibility right now on the bench, it just kind of makes sense for our club right now to be just a little bit better fit.
“But Randal ... he can still play this game at a high level.”
Volpe is scheduled to play a 10th rehab game in the last three weeks on Wednesday – he’s now with Double-A Somerset – and then possibly come off the injured list for Friday night’s game at Yankee Stadium against the Orioles.
Volpe likely would replace infielder/outfielder Max Schuemann, who was called up from Triple-A on Tuesday.
The Yankees’ plan is for Rodriguez to make two starts, then return the right-hander to Triple-A.
At that point, the Yankees are expecting left-hander Carlos Rodon, an All-Star in 2025, to rejoin the rotation after missing the start of the season rehabbing from offseason elbow surgery.
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