TAMPA, Fla. -- Randal Grichuk didn’t fret about a late February arrival to Yankees camp, saying that he sensed there would be a path toward claiming an Opening Day roster spot.
That belief paid off on Saturday, as manager Aaron Boone informed the 34-year-old that he has made the club, offering another experienced bat capable of impacting left-handed pitching.
Grichuk’s Major League contract is valued at $2.5 million.
Boone told reporters in Lakeland, Fla., that Oswaldo Cabrera will be optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, providing the infielder/outfielder with more time as he recovers from a severe left ankle injury that ended his 2025 season.
The decision likely solidifies the Yankees’ bench, which appears set to include catcher J.C. Escarra, first baseman Paul Goldschmidt and infielder/outfielder Amed Rosario along with Grichuk.
Grichuk owns a career .251/.298/.465 slash line with 212 home runs across parts of 12 MLB seasons. In 113 games split between the D-backs and Royals last year, Grichuk had a .674 OPS and nine home runs.
He figures to see most of his playing time against left-handed pitching. Grichuk owns a career .819 OPS against lefties, compared to a .733 OPS against righties.