Yankees Add Outfielder Kelenic on Minor League Deal for Depth
The Yankees have signed veteran outfielder Jarred Kelenic to a minor league contract, assigning him to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Kelenic, a former first-round pick, was recently designated for assignment by Texas. The move provides insurance as New York deals with injuries to Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton.
Kelenic, 27, was originally selected by the Mets in the first round of the 2018 draft before being shipped to Seattle in the blockbuster Robinson Cano–Edwin Díaz trade. His major league career has been marked by inconsistency, with a .211/.283/.371 slash line across 443 games for four different franchises. He was cut loose by Texas on Aug. 23 after clearing waivers and rejecting a minor-league assignment.
The signing gives New York a veteran option in the outfield as the club navigates the final weeks of the regular season. Judge has been progressing but may skip a rehab assignment, while Stanton has been sidelined since late April with a calf issue that recently flared again. The Yankees currently hold the second-best record in the American League and a three-game lead over Boston for the top wild-card spot.
This move could offer the Yankees a low-risk safety net during a critical stretch, potentially stabilizing their outfield depth if Judge's return is delayed or Stanton cannot contribute. For Kelenic, it may represent a final opportunity to revive a once-promising career in a high-pressure market. Fans and the organization alike could benefit from added insurance, though the signing's broader impact on the playoff race remains modest unless injuries force him into regular action.