Yankees make roster moves, call up Urshela

Estrada optioned to Triple-A; Gregorius transferred to 60-day IL

April 6th, 2019

Infielder Gio Urshela is joining the Yankees ahead of Saturday’s matchup against the Orioles in Baltimore. The 27-year-old, who was acquired from the Blue Jays for cash last season, was selected from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and signed to a Major League contract.

In the corresponding roster moves, infielder Thairo Estrada was optioned to Triple-A and shortstop Didi Gregorius, who’s rehabbing from Tommy John surgery, was transferred to the 60-day injured list.

Urshela, who’s regarded as an excellent defender, played in 167 games across three seasons with the Indians (2015, ’17) and Blue Jays (2018), batting .225/.274/.315 with 16 doubles and eight home runs.

Estrada, 23, joined the Yankees on Thursday to replace injured shortstop Troy Tulowitzki on the active roster but did not appear in a game. The Yankees’ No. 19 prospect, according to MLB Pipeline, Estrada was shot in the right hip during a botched robbery attempt last January in Venezuela, but recovered and had a strong showing in spring.