NEW YORK -- With Didi Gregorius expected to miss at least the first two months of the regular season, the Yankees added depth by acquiring infielder Hanser Alberto off waivers from the Rangers on Friday, adding him to their 40-man roster.
Alberto, 26, appeared in 13 games for the Rangers this year, batting .185 (5-for-27) with two doubles. He signed with Texas as an international free agent out of the Dominican Republic in 2009, made his Major League debut in '15 and re-signed with the club last offseason.
In total, Alberto has played in 89 big league games with a .192/.210/.231 slash line. He's under team control until 2022.
Gregorius underwent Tommy John surgery on his right elbow shortly after the Yankees' elimination in the American League Division Series, and he is expected to return between June and August of next season. While there has been buzz linking the Yanks to superstar free agent Manny Machado, the club is also lining up options in case the 26-year-old infielder lands elsewhere.
General manager Brian Cashman has said that if the Yankees were to replace Gregorius internally, Gleyber Torres would be their first choice to slide over from second base to shortstop, with Ronald Torreyes and Tyler Wade also capable of handling a middle infield position.
Alberto, who has played second base, third base and shortstop in the big leagues, now joins that mix. Alberto also started one game at first base in 2016.