Dietrich among 32 Yanks non-roster invites
TAMPA, Fla. -- As Yankees pitchers and catchers report to Spring Training, the organization announced 32 non-roster invitations on Wednesday, highlighted by several of the organization¡¯s top prospects and the signing of versatile infielder/outfielder Derek Dietrich.
Seventy-two players are scheduled to report to camp in Tampa, with pitchers and catchers holding their first workout on Thursday. Position players report to George M. Steinbrenner Field on Monday, with the first full-squad workout scheduled for Feb. 23.
Of the group, 20 players were signed (or re-signed) to Minor League contracts for 2021: right-hander Kyle Barraclough, outfielder Michael Beltre, catcher Rob Brantly, outfielder Socrates Brito, outfielder Jay Bruce, right-hander Jhoulys Chac¨ªn, catcher Robinson Chirinos, left-hander Nestor Cortes Jr., catcher Kellin Deglan, Dietrich, right-hander Luis Garc¨ªa, infielder Chris Gittens, right-hander Nick Goody, outfielder Ryan LaMarre, left-hander Lucas Luetge, left-hander Tyler Lyons, outfielder Thomas Milone, infielder Andrew Velazquez, right-hander Adam Warren and right-hander Asher Wojciechowski.
Brantly, Deglan, Gittens, Lyons, Milone and Warren spent time in the Yankees organization last year, and they are returning in 2021 after signing new Minor League deals.
The 31-year-old Dietrich¡¯s signing was previously unreported. Dietrich has batted .245/.335/.428 with 84 home runs and 255 RBIs over 746 Major League games with the Marlins (2013-18), Reds (2019) and Rangers (2020), seeing most of his action at second base, left field and third base. Dietrich could challenge Tyler Wade for a bench role.
Goody, 29, is returning to the Yankees after being drafted by the club in the sixth round of the 2012 MLB Draft. He made his Major League debut with the Yanks in 2015, compiling a 4.19 ERA in 158 appearances (one start) over six seasons with the Yankees (2015-16), Indians (2017-19) and Rangers (2020).
Twelve other players in the organization were also extended invitations to big league camp: infielder Armando Alvarez, outfielder Trey Amburgey, catcher Josh Breaux, infielder Ezequiel Duran, left-hander Trevor Lane, right-hander Reggie McClain, catcher Max McDowell, right-hander Glenn Otto, infielder Hoy Jun Park, right-hander Addison Russ, catcher Anthony Seigler and catcher Austin Wells.
Wells was the Yankees¡¯ first-round Draft pick in 2020, and he's their No. 6-ranked prospect, according to MLB Pipeline.
In addition, the Yankees signed right-hander Matt Bowman to a two-year Minor League contract for 2021-22, with an invitation to 2022 Spring Training. Bowman underwent Tommy John surgery on his right elbow on Sept. 16, 2020.