SAD NEWS: New York Yankees announces the departure Six key players

The New York Yankees announced that they have invited 26 players to 2024 Major League Spring Training. The number of players currently scheduled to report to Spring Training is 66.

Of the non-roster invitees (NRIs), 11 played in other organizations in 2023 and signed Minor League contracts with the Yankees for the 2024 season: RHP Nick Burdi, RHP Yerry de los Santos, C J.C. Escarra, OF Luis González, LHP Oddanier Mosqueda, INF/OF Jose Rojas, RHP Dennis Santana, INF Kevin Smith, C Luis Torrens, RHP Duane Underwood Jr. and INF Josh VanMeter.

Three NRIs – OF Greg Allen, LHP Anthony Misiewicz and LHP Tanner Tully − re-signed with the Yankees for 2024 after playing for the organization at some point during the 2023 season. Ten other players in the Yankees organization were also extended invitations to big league camp: C Josh Breaux, INF Jeter Downs, INF Caleb Durbin, OF Oscar González, RHP Chase Hampton, OF Spencer Jones, OF Brandon Lockridge, C Ben Rice, INF T.J. Rumfield and RHP Will Warren.

Additionally, RHP Joey Gerber and RHP Art Warren both signed multi-year Minor League contracts with invitations to 2024 Spring Training. Gerber was signed to a three-year MiLnor eague contract on July 25, 2022, after undergoing “Tommy John” surgery on July 1, 2022. Warren was signed to a two-year Minor League contract on Dec. 8, 2022, after undergoing surgery to strengthen the UCL in his right elbow on Sept. 21, 2022.

The 26 NRIs consist of 11 pitchers (three left-handers, eight right-handers), four catchers, five outfielders, five infielders and one infielder/outfielder. Sixteen of these players have accrued Major League service time: Torrens (3 years, 155 days), Burdi (3 years, 140 days), Allen (3 years, 127 days), Santana (3 years, 126 days), Underwood Jr. (3 years, 109 days), VanMeter (3 years, 47 days), Misiewicz (2 years, 170 days), L. González (2 years, 55 days), A. Warren (1 year, 146 days), Smith (1 year, 63 days), O. González (1 year, 40 days), De los Santos (1 year, 19 days), Gerber (153 days), Rojas (136 days), Downs (68 days) and Tully (15 days)

Allen, 30, has hit .231 (170-for-735) with 109R, 31 doubles, 8 triples, 11HR, 68RBI, 47BB and 48SB in 304 career games over parts of seven Major League seasons with Cleveland (2017-20), the San Diego Padres (2020), Yankees (2021, ‘23) and Pittsburgh Pirates (2022). He has played at all three outfield positions in his career, appearing in 139 games (103 starts) in center field, 119 games (57 starts) in left field and 56 games (28 starts) in right field. In 2023, Allen played 22 games with the Yankees, batting .217 (5-for-23) with 1 double, 1 triple, 1HR, 1RBI, 2BB and 3SB. The switch-hitter began the season in the Boston Red Sox organization, hitting .250 (29-for-116) with 25R, 8 doubles, 1 triple, 2HR, 15RBI, 21BB and 23SB in 37 games with Triple-A Worcester. He was acquired by the Yankees from the Red Sox in exchange for minor league RHP Diego Hernández and cash considerations on May 19, 2023. Allen was designated for assignment on Aug. 22, 2023 and ended the season in the Milwaukee Brewers organization. He was re-signed by the Yankees as a Minor League free agent on Jan. 28, 2024. The San Diego, Calif., native was originally drafted by Cleveland in the sixth round of the 2014 First-Year Player Draft out of San Diego State University.

Breaux, 26, has hit .244 (297-for-1,216) with 152R, 59 doubles, 2 triples, 67HR, 197RBI, 90BB and 4SB in 315 games over five Minor League seasons in the Yankees organization (2018-19, ’21-23). The right-handed batter combined to hit .243/.302/.466 (46-for-189) with 26R, 6 doubles, 12HR, 22RBI, 14BB and 1SB in 50 games with High-A Hudson Valley, Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and Double-A Somerset last season. The Houston, Tex., native was selected by the Yankees in the second round of the 2018 First-Year Player Draft out of McLennan Community College (Tex.).

Burdi, 31, has made 19 career Major League relief appearances over parts of four seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates (2018-20) and Chicago Cubs (2023), going 2-2 with one save and a 9.39 ERA (15.1IP, 19H, 17R/16ER, 10BB, 27K, 2HR). The right-handed pitcher made three relief appearances with the Chicago Cubs in 2023, posting a 9.00 ERA (3.0IP, 3H, 3ER, 3BB, 4K, 0HR). He spent the majority of the season with Triple-A Iowa, posting a 3.20 ERA with four saves (19.2IP, 16H, 7ER, 14BB, 33K, 1HR) in 21 relief appearances. Burdi was signed by the Yankees as a Minor League free agent on Dec. 20, 2023. The Hinsdale, Ill., native was originally selected by the Minnesota Twins in the second round of the 2014 First-Year Player Draft out of the University of Louisville.

De los Santos, 26, has made 48 career Major League relief appearances over parts of two seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates (2022-23), going 1-4 with three saves and a 4.14 ERA (50.0IP, 39H, 28R/23ER, 24BB, 44K, 4HR). The right-handed pitcher made 22 relief appearances for the Pirates in 2023, going 1-1 with a 3.33 ERA (24.1IP, 17H, 10R/9ER, 13BB, 18K, 1HR). Additionally, he made 23 relief outings with Triple-A Indianapolis last season, going 1-5 with two saves and a 6.12 ERA (25.0IP, 42H, 20R/17ER, 14BB, 28K, 4HR). De los Santos was signed by the Yankees as a Minor League free agent on Nov. 17, 2023. The Samana, D.R., native was originally signed by the Pittsburgh Pirates as a non-drafted free agent on July 2, 2014.

Downs, 25, has hit .182 (8-for-44) with 8R, 1 double, 1HR, 5RBI, 5BB and 2SB in 20 career games over parts of two Major League seasons with the Boston Red Sox (2022) and Washington Nationals (2023). The right-handed batter played six games over three stints with the Washington Nationals in 2023, going 2-for-5 (.400) with 4R, 1RBI and 2SB. He also batted .222 (40-for-180) with 32R, 13 doubles, 1 triple, 3HR, 20RBI, 37BB and 11SB in 60 combined Minor League games with Triple-A Rochester, the FCL Nationals and High-A Wilmington last season. Downs was claimed off waivers by the Yankees from Washington on Dec. 19, 2023. He was designated for assignment on Jan. 19, 2024, and outrighted to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Jan. 24, 2024. The San Andrés, Colombia, native was originally selected by the Cincinnati Reds in Competitive Balance Round A (32nd overall) of the 2017 First-Year Player Draft out of Monsignor Edward Pace High School (Fla.).

Durbin, 23, has hit .266 (184-for-691) with 126R, 39 doubles, 4 triples, 12HR, 93RBI, 81BB and 79SB in 191 games over parts of three seasons in the Atlanta Braves (2021-22) and Yankees (2023) organizations. In 2023, Durbin combined with High-A Hudson Valley and Double-A Somerset to hit .304/.395/.427 (77-for-253) with 46R, 17 doubles, 1 triple, 4HR, 25RBI, 26BB and 36SB in 69 games. His 36SB were tied for the fourth-most among Yankees Minor Leaguers. Following the season, the right-handed batter was named an MiLB.com Organization All-Star. Additionally, he was selected to the Arizona Fall League Fall Stars Game after batting 353/.456/.588 (30-for-85) with 18R, 9 doubles, 1 triple, 3HR, 12RBI, 14BB and a league-leading 21SB in 23 games for the Mesa Solar Sox. Durbin was acquired by the Yankees from the Atlanta Braves along with RHP Indigo Diaz in exchange for LHP Lucas Luetge on Dec. 28, 2022. The Evanston, Ill., native was originally selected by the Atlanta Braves in the 14th round of the 2021 First-Year Player Draft out of Washington University in St. Louis (Mo.).

Escarra, 28, spent the last two seasons in the Independent League (2022-23) and Mexican League (2023) after previously playing four minor league seasons in the Baltimore Orioles organization (2017-19, ’21). After exclusively playing first base in his Minor League career, he appeared at catcher, first base, third base, left field and right field over the last two seasons in the Independent League. In 2023, he began the season with the Gastonia Honey Hunters of the Atlantic League, batting .348/.423/.707 (57-for-164) with 40R, 14 doubles, 15HR, 41RBI and 22BB in 41 games. He was named the Atlantic League “Player of the Month” for April/May after hitting .374 (43-for-115) with 26R, 12 doubles, 8HR, 31RBI and striking out just 11 times in 28 games (130PA) with Gastonia. The left-handed batter then signed with the Toros de Tijuana of the Mexican League on June 20, 2023, hitting .329/.421/.610 (27-for-82) with 17R, 5 doubles, 6HR, 10RBI and 12BB in 21 games. Escarra finished the season with the Algodoneros de Unión Laguna after being acquired from the Toros de Tijuana on July 14, 2023, hitting .263 (21-for-80) with 11R, 5 doubles, 2 triples, 1HR, 14RBI and 11BB in 21 games with the club. Following the season, he played for the Algodoneros de Guasave of the Mexican Pacific Winter League and the Leones de Ponce of the Puerto Rican Winter League. Escarra was signed by the Yankees as a Minor League free agent on Jan. 11, 2024. The Hialeah, Fla., native was originally selected by the Baltimore Orioles in the 15th round of the 2017 First-Year Player Draft out of Florida International University.

Gerber, 26, has played one Major League season with the Seattle Mariners (2020), going 1-1 with a 4.02 ERA (15.2IP, 13H, 8R/7ER, 5BB, 6K, 1HR) in 17 relief appearances. Over three Minor League seasons in the Mariners organization (2018-19, ‘22), has gone 2-4 with 16 saves and a 2.39 ERA (75.1IP, 58H, 25R/20ER, 30BB, 112K, 2HR) in 67 games. Gerber did not pitch in 2023 due to “Tommy John” surgery recovery. He was signed by the Yankees to a three-year Minor League contract on July 25, 2022. The Maple Grove, Minn., native was originally selected by the Seattle Mariners in the eighth round of the 2018 First-Year Player Draft out of the University of Illinois.

González, 28, has batted .250 (80-for-320) with 34R, 19 doubles, 2 triples, 4HR, 36RBI, 33BB and 10SB in 107 career games over parts of three Major League seasons with the Chicago White Sox (2020- 21) and San Francisco Giants (2022). The left-handed batter spent the 2023 season in the Giants organization, hitting .248 (26-for-105) with 16R, 6 doubles, 1 triple, 1HR, 7RBI, 14BB and 6SB in 31 combined games with the AZL Giants Orange, the AZL Giants Black and Triple-A Sacramento. González was signed by the Yankees as a Minor League free agent on Dec. 21, 2023. The Hermosillo, Mexico, native was originally selected by the Chicago White Sox in the third round of the 2017 First-Year Player Draft out of the University of New Mexico.

González, 26, has hit .269 (144-for-535) with 54R, 34 doubles, 2 triples, 13HR, 55RBI and 20BB in 145 games over two Major League seasons with the Cleveland Guardians (2022-23). In 2023, he made his first career Opening Day roster and batted .214 (37-for-173) with 15R, 7 doubles, 2 triples, 2HR, 12RBI and 5BB in 54 games over three stints with the Guardians (3/30-5/5, 7/27-9/3, 9/29-10/1). The right-handed batter also played in 83 games for Triple-A Columbus last season, hitting .287/.323/.496 (96-for-335) with 49R, 23 doubles, 4 triples, 13HR, 64RBI, 19BB and 2SB. He ranked among Cleveland farmhands in HR (tied for eighth), RBI (ninth), extra base hits (ninth, 40) and total bases (10th, 166). González was claimed off waivers by the Yankees from Cleveland on Dec. 1, 2023. He was designated for assignment on Jan. 17, 2024, and outrighted to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Jan. 24, 2024. The Sabana Grande de Palenque, D.R., native was originally signed by the Guardians as a non-drafted free agent on July 2, 2014.

Hampton, 22, made his professional debut in 2023, splitting the season between High-A Hudson Valley and Double-A Somerset, and going 4-3 with a 3.63 ERA (106.2IP, 85H, 51R/43ER, 37BB, 145K, 13HR) in 20 combined starts. Among Yankees Minor Leaguers, he ranked sixth in strikeouts and ninth in innings pitched. Following the season, Hampton was tabbed by Baseball America as the No. 6 prospect in the Yankees organization and the No. 72 prospect in baseball. He was also labeled by the publication as having the “Best Fastball” and “Best Curveball” among Yankees farmhands. The right-handed pitcher was also tabbed as the No. 92 overall prospect by MLB Pipeline. The Kilgore, Texas, native was selected by the Yankees in the sixth round of the 2022 First-Year Player Draft out of Texas Tech University.

Jones, 22, has spent two Minor League seasons in the Yankees organization (2022-23), hitting .279/.351/.459 (160-for-573) with 92R, 35 doubles, 4 triples, 20HR, 78RBI, 60BB and 55SB in 142 combined games. In 2023, he hit .267 (128-for-480) with 71R, 29 doubles, 4 triples, 16HR, 66RBI, 49BB and 43SB in 117 combined games with High-A Hudson Valley and Double-A Somerset. Among Yankees farmhands, Jones ranked first in doubles and stolen bases, third in hits, tied for third in triples, fourth in extra base hits (49) and total bases (213), tied for seventh in runs and 10th in RBI. He was also named to the American League roster for the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game in Seattle on July 8, 2023, starting the game in center field (0-for-1, 1BB). Following the season, the left-handed batter was named an MiLB.com Organization All-Star, and was tabbed by Baseball America as the No. 2 prospect in the Yankees organization and the No. 46 prospect in baseball. He was also labeled the No. 84 overall prospect by MLB Pipeline. The Encinitas, Calif., native was selected by the Yankees in the first round (25th overall) of the 2022 First-Year Player Draft out of Vanderbilt University (Tenn.).

Lockridge, 26, has hit .263 (415-for-1,576) with 243R, 88 doubles, 15 triples, 43HR, 187RBI, 151BB and 101SB in 422 combined games over parts of five minor league seasons in the Yankees organization (2018-19, ’21-23). He split the 2023 season with Double-A Somerset and Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, batting .296/.379/.414 (83-for-280) with 42R, 16 doubles, 4 triples, 3HR, 28RBI, 36BB and 40SB in 92 combined games. The right-handed batter was tied for second among Yankees Minor Leaguers in stolen bases and tied for third in triples. Following the season, Lockridge was named by Baseball America as the “Best Defensive Outfielder” among Yankees farmhands. The Pensacola, Fla., native was selected by the Yankees in the fifth round of the 2018 First-Year Player Draft out of Troy University (Ala.).

Misiewicz, 29, has made 130 career Major League relief appearances over parts of four seasons with the Seattle Mariners (2020-22), Kansas City Royals (2022), Arizona Diamondbacks (2023), Detroit Tigers (2023) and the Yankees (2023), going 8-9 with a 4.71 ERA (114.2IP, 125H, 65R/60ER, 37BB, 113K, 15HR). In 11 combined relief appearances with the Diamondbacks, Tigers and Yankees this past season, he went 2-0 with a 7.36 ERA (11.0IP, 17H, 11R/9ER, 6BB, 8K, 2HR). The left-handed pitcher also made a combined 33 appearances (two starts) with the ACL Diamondbacks Black (1G/1GS), Triple-A Reno, Triple-A Toledo and Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, going 5-2 with one save and a 4.10 ERA (41.2IP, 38H, 20R/19ER, 18BB, 49K, 6HR). He began the 2023 season with the St. Louis Cardinals before being acquired by the Diamondbacks in exchange for cash considerations on March 31, 2023. He was then designated for assignment on June 12, 2023, and was claimed off waivers by the Tigers on June 18, 2023. Detroit then designated him for assignment on June 29, 2023, and he was claimed off waivers by the Yankees on July 6, 2023. Following the season, Misiewicz was re-signed by the Yankees as a Minor League free agent on Dec. 7, 2023. The Detroit, Mich., native was originally selected by the Seattle Mariners in the 18th round of the 2015 First-Year Player Draft out of Michigan State University.

Mosqueda, 24, spent his first seven professional seasons in the Boston Red Sox organization (2016-19, ‘21-23), going 18-18 with nine saves and a 4.21 ERA (331.2IP, 266H, 176R/155ER, 167BB, 410K, 28HR) in 196 minor league games (13 starts). The left-handed pitcher spent the entire 2023 season with Triple-A Worcester, going 4-4 with a 5.31 ERA (61.0IP, 53H, 41R/36ER, 39BB, 74K, 10HR) in 48 games (three starts). His 48 appearances in 2023 were tied for the third-most among Red Sox farmhands. Mosqueda was signed by the Yankees as a Minor League free agent on Dec. 7, 2023. The Caracas, Venezuela, native was originally signed by the Boston Red Sox as a non-drafted free agent on July 2, 2015.

Rice, 24, has hit .287/.398/.519 (157-for-547) with 102R, 29 doubles, 1 triple, 32HR, 117RBI, 85BB and 16SB in 163 combined games over parts of three Minor League seasons in the Yankees organization (2021-23). In 2023, he was named by MLB Pipeline as the Yankees’ “Hitting Prospect of the Year” after batting .324/.434/.615 (89-for-275) with 62R, 18 doubles, 1 triple, 20HR, 68RBI, 44BB and 11SB in 73 combined games with Single-A Tampa, High-A Hudson Valley and Double-A Somerset. Rice ranked among qualified Yankees farmhands in home runs (seventh) and RBI (tied for eighth). The left-handed batter earned Eastern League “Player of the Month” honors for August after batting .345/.397/.700 (38-for-110) with 24R, 7 doubles, 1 triple, 10HR, 29RBI, 8BB and 6SB in 26 games with Somerset. Following the season, he was tabbed by Baseball America as the “Best Hitter for Average” among Yankees farmhands and was named an MiLB.com Organization All-Star. The Cohasset, Mass., native was selected by the Yankees in the 12th round of the 2021 First-Year Player Draft out of Dartmouth College (N.H.).

Rojas, 30, has hit .188 (42-for-224) with 27R, 16 doubles, 6HR, 16RBI, 15BB and 2SB in 83 combined games over parts of two Major League seasons with the Los Angeles Angels (2021-22). He has appeared defensively in the Majors in right field (31G/25GS), third base (24G/19GS), second base (14G/10GS), left field (10G/2GS) and first base (2G). The left-handed batter spent the entire 2023 season with the Doosan Bears of the Korean Baseball Organization, batting .253/.345/.474 (102-for-403) with 52R, 24 doubles, 4 triples, 19HR, 65RBI and 55BB in 122 games. Following the season, he played for the Charros de Jalisco of the Mexican Pacific Winter League. Rojas was signed by the Yankees as a Minor League free agent on Jan. 25, 2024. The Anaheim, Calif., native was originally selected by the Los Angeles Angels in the 36th round of the 2016 First-Year Player Draft out of Vanguard University (Calif.).

Rumfield, 23, has hit .243 (145-for-596) with 85R, 30 doubles, 21HR, 100RBI, 90BB and 12SB over parts of three Minor League seasons in the Philadelphia Phillies (2021) and Yankees (2022-23) organizations. In 2023, the left-handed batter hit .222/.320/.437 (69-for-311) with 45R, 16 doubles, 17HR, 58RBI, 40BB and 8SB in 86 combined games with High-A Hudson Valley and Double-A Somerset. Following the season, he was named the 2023 MiLB Rawlings Gold Glove Award winner at first base. Rumfield was acquired by the Yankees from the Phillies along with LHP Joel Valdez in exchange for RHP Nick Nelson and C Donny Sands on Nov. 19, 2021. The Richmond, Va., native was originally drafted by Philadelphia in the 12th round of the 2021 First-Year Player Draft out of Virginia Tech.

Santana, 27, has gone 8-14 with one save and a 5.17 ERA (149.2IP, 135H, 97R/86ER, 79BB, 140K, 13HR) in 143 career Major League appearances (one start) over parts of six seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers (2018-21), Texas Rangers (2021-22) and New York Mets (2023). The right-handed pitcher made nine relief appearances with the Mets in 2023, going 1-0 with a 5.91 ERA (10.2IP, 10H, 7R/ER, 7BB, 12K, 2HR). Santana spent most of the season with Triple-A Syracuse, going 5-3 with five saves and a 4.91 ERA (33.0IP, 40H, 21R/18ER, 20BB, 41K, 6HR) in 29 appearances (two starts). Santana was signed by the Yankees as a Minor League free agent on Dec. 7, 2023. The San Pedro de Macorís, D.R., native was originally signed by the Los Angeles Dodgers as a non-drafted free agent on March 12, 2013.

Smith, 27, has hit .173 (53-for-306) with 26R, 13 doubles, 1 triple, 8HR, 25RBI, 15BB and 5SB in 114 career games over parts of three Major League seasons with the Toronto Blue Jays (2021) and the Oakland Athletics (2022-23). He has appeared defensively in his career at third base (70G/54GS), shortstop (44G/31GS), first base (1G/1GS) and left field (1G/1GS). In 2023, the right-handed batter hit .185 (25-for-135) with 15R, 4 doubles, 5HR, 11RBI, 5BB and 1SB in 49 games over three stints with the Athletics. He also played 42 games with Triple-A Las Vegas, batting .324 (55-for-170) with 41R, 8 doubles, 16HR, 46RBI, 13BB and 9SB in 42 games. Smith was signed by the Yankees as a Minor League free agent on January 8, 2024. The East Greenbush, N.Y., native was originally selected by the Toronto Blue Jays in the fourth round of the 2017 First-Year Player Draft out of the University of Maryland.

Torrens, 27, has played 271 career Major League games over parts of six seasons with the San Diego Padres (2017, ‘19-20), Seattle Mariners (2020-23) and Chicago Cubs (2023), batting .227 (166-for-732) with 67R, 30 doubles, 3 triples, 19HR, 79RBI and 62BB. The right-handed batter began the season with the Chicago Cubs, hitting .250 (5-for-20) with 1R, 1 double, 3RBI and 1BB in 13 games. He was acquired by the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for cash considerations on May 3, 2023, and was designated for assignment on May 9, 2023. He then signed with the Washington Nationals as a Minor League free agent on May 18, 2023, and played in 19 games with Triple-A Rochester, batting .258/.311/.470 (17-for-66) with 8R, 5 doubles, 3HR, 13RBI and 6BB. The catcher was released by the Nationals on July 1, 2023, and signed with the Seattle Mariners as a minor league free agent on August 30, 2023. In five games with Triple-A Tacoma, he hit .200 (4-for-20) with 1R, 1HR, 2RBI and 1BB. Torrens had his contracted selected by the Mariners and he was added to the active roster on Sept. 12, 2023. He finished the season with Seattle, batting .250 (2-for-8) with 2 doubles and 1RBI in five games. Following the season, he played for Navegantes del Magallanes in the Venezuelan Winter League, hitting .273/.342/.378 (39-for-143) with 18R, 6 doubles, 3HR, 15RBI and 16BB in 38 games. Torrens was signed by the Yankees as a Minor League free agent on Jan. 14, 2024. The Valencia, Venezuela, native was originally signed by the Yankees as a non-drafted free agent on July 2, 2012.

Tully, 29, spent his first six professional seasons in the Cleveland Guardians organization (2016-19, ‘21-22), going 39-46 with three saves and a 3.99 ERA (696.1IP, 771H, 366R/309ER, 138BB, 514K, 64HR) in 140 minor league games (112 starts). He saw his first Major League action in 2022 with the Guardians, making three appearances in relief (6.0IP, 8H, 4ER, 6BB, 2K, 1HR). The left-handed pitcher spent the majority of 2023 the season with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, going 5-5 with a 5.64 ERA (91.0IP, 121H, 63R/57ER, 26BB, 77K, 14HR) in 19 starts. He was released by the Yankees on Aug. 2, 2023, and later signed with the NC Dinos in the Korean Baseball Organization. Tully was re-signed by the Yankees as a minor league free agent on Dec. 20, 2023. The Elkhart, Ind., native was originally selected by Cleveland in the 26th round of the 2016 First-Year Player Draft out of Ohio State University.

Underwood Jr., 29, has gone 5-10 with three saves and a 4.63 ERA (190.2IP, 198H, 110R/98ER, 75BB, 179K, 21HR) in 144 career Major League appearances (two starts) over parts of six seasons with the Chicago Cubs (2018-20) and Pittsburgh Pirates (2021-23). Began the 2023 season with Pittsburgh, appearing in 20 games for the Pirates and going 1-0 with two saves and a 5.18 ERA (24.1IP, 24H, 14R/ER, 11BB, 14K, 3HR). He was designated for assignment on May 27, 2023, and was outrighted to Triple-A Indianapolis on June 2, 2023. In 15 appearances (one start) with Indianapolis, went 0-5 with a 6.30 ERA (20.0IP, 20H, 17R/14ER, 7BB, 13K, 2HR). Underwood was signed by the Yankees as a Minor League free agent on Dec. 14, 2023. The Raleigh, N.C., native was originally selected by the Chicago Cubs in the second round of the 2012 First-Year Player Draft.

VanMeter, 28, has batted .206 (153-for-743) with 83R, 38 doubles, 5 triples, 19HR, 79RBI, 88BB and 17SB in 300 career games over parts of four Major League seasons with the Cincinnati Reds (2019-20), Arizona Diamondbacks (2020-21) and Pittsburgh Pirates (2022). He has appeared defensively in his career at second base (126G/99GS), left field (48G/32GS), first base (42G/28GS), third base (35G/24GS), right field (4G/1GS) and catcher (1G). The left-handed batter spent 2023 season in the Milwaukee Brewers organization, combining with Triple-A Nashville and the ACL Brewers to hit .209 (33-for-158) with 34R, 3 doubles, 1 triple, 6HR, 22RBI and 49BB in 51 games. He was signed by the Yankees as a Minor League free agent on Jan. 16, 2024. The Ossian, Ind., native was originally drafted by the San Diego Padres in the fifth round of the 2013 First-Year Player Draft.

Warren, 30, has gone 6-3 with three saves and a 4.19 ERA (62.1IP, 50H, 32R/29ER, 32BB, 79K, 7HR) in 71 games over parts of three Major League seasons with the Seattle Mariners (2019) and Cincinnati Reds (2021-22). Warren did not pitch in 2023 due to UCL surgery recovery. In 2022, he went 2-3 with a 6.50 ERA (36.0IP, 37H, 29R/26ER, 22BB, 40K, 6HR) in 39 relief appearances with Cincinnati. He also made four combined rehab appearances with High-A Dayton and Triple-A Louisville (4.0IP, 2H, 1BB, 5K). He was signed by the Yankees to a two-year Minor League contract on Dec. 8, 2022. The Defiance, Ohio, native was selected by the Seattle Mariners in the 23rd round of the 2015 First-Year Player Draft out of Ashland University (Ohio).

Warren, 24, has gone 19-13 with a 3.63 ERA (258.0IP, 228H, 130R/104ER, 101BB, 274K, 25HR) in 53 combined appearances (51 starts) over two minor league seasons in the Yankees organization (2022-23). In 2023, he went 10-4 with a 3.35 ERA (129.0IP, 109H, 60R/48ER, 59BB, 149K, 15HR) in 27 combined games (25 starts) with Double-A Somerset and Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Among qualified Yankees farmhands, the right-handed pitcher ranked third in wins and winning percentage (.714), fourth in games started, fifth in ERA, strikeouts and innings pitched, sixth in opponents’ batting average (.226) and eighth in WHIP (1.30). He earned International League “Pitcher of the Month” honors in September with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre after going 1-0 with a 0.63 ERA (28.2IP, 15H, 2ER, 11BB, 36K, 0HR) in five games (three starts). Following the season, Warren was tabbed by Baseball America as the Yankees’ No. 9 prospect and was also labeled by the publication as having the “Best Control” among Yankees farmhands. The Brandon, Miss., native was selected by the Yankees in the eighth round of the 2021 First-Year Player Draft out of Southeastern Louisiana University.