The New York Yankees’ latest roster move might not grab headlines or spark excitement among fans, but it could quietly have an impact on their bench. The team has signed 29-year-old Cooper Hummel to a minor league deal. Hummel is a switch-hitting corner outfielder and catcher who has struggled in limited big-league action but has been productive at Triple-A.
Over his 82 MLB games from 2022–2024, Hummel has posted a .159 batting average, but his Triple-A numbers are far more impressive. In 330 career Triple-A games, he has an .899 OPS, including a .277/.419/.454 line last season with the Astros’ affiliate.
So what does Hummel’s signing mean for the Yankees? It could signal that the team is looking to make a move. Coming out of spring training, the Yankees didn’t have a clear right-handed bat for the bench. Instead, they kept light-hitting righties Pablo Reyes and Oswald Peraza on the roster. Hummel’s addition gives them a potential right-handed bat with experience both behind the plate and in the outfield, which increases the pressure on Reyes and Peraza.
Cooper Hummel
Peraza, once a top prospect in the Yankees’ system, has struggled to establish himself at the major league level. He had a memorable home run off the bench in a blowout win over Milwaukee, but he’s had limited playing time and only recently earned a surprising start.
Peraza has no minor league options left, so the Yankees risk losing him if they designate him for assignment. Meanwhile, Reyes, who earned praise during spring training, has struggled early on, going 0-for-6 and committing errors at third base. While Reyes has versatility and past success against left-handed pitching, his early struggles have made his spot on the roster less secure.
Hummel doesn’t guarantee a roster move, but he gives the Yankees a much-needed right-handed bat-first option for the bench, something they’ve been lacking. Whether that eventually leads to Reyes or Peraza being removed from the roster is uncertain, but Hummel’s addition adds more pressure to an unsettled bench group.
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