The New York Yankees have signed veteran infielder Jeimer Candelario to a minor league deal. He will join Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, according to YES Network’s Conor Foley.
Candelario was released by the Cincinnati Reds in June after struggling through injuries and poor performance. He hit just .113 with two home runs in 80 at-bats and played only 22 games this season. His time in Cincinnati will likely be remembered for falling short of expectations, especially after signing a three-year, $45 million deal before the 2024 season.
His recent rehab stint with Triple-A Louisville didn’t offer much optimism either — he batted .211 with a .318 on-base percentage and a .333 slugging percentage across 15 games, following a lumbar spine strain that had sidelined him in April.
Despite the recent setbacks, Candelario brings experience from 880 MLB games and did hit 20 home runs in his first season with the Reds. The Yankees are giving him a chance to work his way back into form in the minors. If he shows improvement, he could potentially be added to the major league roster later this season as an infield depth option.
More Moves, but Fewer Answers at Third Base
Candelario is the second experienced infielder the Yankees have added this week on a minor league contract, joining Nicky Lopez, who also reported to Triple-A. These signings suggest the Yankees may be leaning on internal options rather than pursuing a trade to upgrade third base.
Ideally, acquiring a solid third baseman would allow Jazz Chisholm Jr. to return to his natural position at second base and push DJ LeMahieu into a utility or bench role. For now, though, the team seems to be prioritizing low-risk signings and hoping one of these veterans can provide a boost from within the organization.
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