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Check back for Yankees’ transactions and injury updates throughout the offseason.
Dec. 28: Minor Leaguers INF Caleb Durbin and RHP Indigo Diaz acquired from the Braves for LHP Lucas Luetge
The 6-foot-5 Diaz went 3-4 with four saves and a 3.08 ERA in 49 games at Double-A Mississippi in 2022. Diaz, 24, was selected from Michigan State University by the Braves in the 2019 Draft. Since then he’s gone 10-6 over three Minor League seasons in the Braves’ organization.
Durbin, 22, slashed a combined .241/.352/.372 over 105 games between Single-A Augusta and High-A Rome last season, his first full year in professional baseball. Durbin was selected by the Braves in the 2021 Draft out of Washington University in St. Louis (Mo.).
Luetge went 4-4 with a 2.67 ERA while making appearances in 50 games for the Yankees in 2022. He struck out 60 batters and walked 17 over 57 1/3 innings. Luetge first made the Majors in 2012 with the Mariners, who acquired him from the Brewers in the 2011 Rule 5 Draft. Luetge made 111 appearances for Seattle from 2012-15, then did not appear in the Majors again until 2021 in New York.
Dec. 21: RHP Tommy Kahnle signed to two-year, $11.5 million contract; LHP Lucas Luetge designated for assignment
Kahnle returns to New York after contributing to the Bombers’ bullpen from 2017-20. The 33-year-old had a 2.84 ERA and one save in 13 appearances for the Dodgers this past season, having recovered from Tommy John surgery. Luetge, 35, posted a 2.71 ERA over 107 appearances for the Yanks from 2021-22.
Dec. 20: OF Aaron Judge signed to a nine-year, $360 million contract
The Yankees formally announced their record-setting deal with the American League’s Most Valuable Player, who agreed with the club on Dec. 6. Judge, 30, was named the 16th captain in franchise history at a Yankee Stadium news conference on Dec. 21.
INF DJ LeMahieu (right foot ligament)
Expected return: 2023
The Yankees have received encouraging reports on LeMahieu, who is hopeful that he will be able to avoid surgery. LeMahieu has been performing baseball activities in Tampa, Fla., including running, hitting and fielding. LeMahieu opted for a conservative treatment route on his right foot, which sapped his strength and mobility during the second half of the season and prompted the Yankees to leave him off their postseason rosters.
LeMahieu has an injured ligament on the underside of his second right toe that the club believes may have stemmed from an earlier fracture to his right big toe. Yankees manager Aaron Boone said that he spoke with LeMahieu recently, noting, “I felt like it was the first time where he was a little optimistic about what he was experiencing.” (Last updated: Dec. 21)
OF Aaron Hicks (left knee injury)
Expected return: 2023
Hicks sustained a season-ending left knee injury after colliding with shortstop Oswaldo Cabrera during Game 5 of the American League Division Series against the Guardians. At the time, he was forecast to have a recovery period of 6-8 weeks. Yankees manager Aaron Boone said that Hicks’ recovery is going well. (Last updated: Dec. 21)
RHP Ron Marinaccio (stress reaction in right shin)
Expected return: 2023
Marinaccio is said to be “doing better” and close to fully healed from the right shin injury that kept him off of the Yankees’ postseason rosters, according to manager Aaron Boone. Marinaccio exited an Oct. 2 appearance against the Orioles with right shin discomfort, an issue that the right-hander managed for most of the season. (Last updated: Dec. 21)
RHP Michael King (right elbow fracture)
Expected return: 2023
King resumed throwing in November and is expected to have a relatively normal offseason in preparation for Spring Training, though it remains to be seen if he will be ready for Opening Day. King had season-ending surgery on July 27 to repair the fractured right elbow that he sustained on July 22. King received good news regarding his elbow after a Sept. 29 MRI, which confirmed that he will not need Tommy John surgery. (Last updated: Dec. 21)
RHP Luis Gil (Tommy John surgery)
Expected return: 2023
Gil underwent Tommy John surgery in May 2022 and is expected to return to the mound sometime during the second half of the ‘23 season. The right-hander was activated from the 60-day injured list on Nov. 10, though that was a procedural move. Gil resumed playing catch on Oct. 4 at the Yankees’ player development complex in Tampa, Fla. (Last updated: Nov. 11)
