Breaking News: Yankees SHOCK Fans with Jaw-Dropping Move

On Friday, the New York Yankees fortified their 40-man roster with two strategic moves, re-signing free-agent right-hander Luke Weaver and claiming utility player Diego Castillo off waivers from the crosstown rival New York Mets. Both transactions were officially announced by the team via social media channels.

The New York Yankees today announced that they have signed RHP Luke Weaver to a one-year Major League contract for the 2024 season with a club option for the 2025 season.
 
To make room on the 40-man roster, the Yankees have designated OF Bubba Thompson for assignment.

— New York Yankees (@Yankees) January 19, 2024

Earlier today, the Yankees claimed INF/OF Diego Castillo off waivers from the New York Mets.

To make room on the 40-man roster, the Yankees designated INF Jeter Downs for assignment.

— New York Yankees (@Yankees) January 19, 2024

Weaver’s renewed contract spans one year with a club option for the 2025 season. In tandem with this signing, the Yankees made room on the roster by designating outfielder Bubba Thompson for assignment. Additionally, to accommodate Castillo, the team designated infielder Jeter Downs for assignment. Downs, who was claimed off waivers from the Washington Nationals last month, and Thompson may have the opportunity to return to the roster, considering they were designated, not outright released.

Weaver, whose career has predominantly seen him in a starting role since his debut with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2016, made three starts for the Yankees last season. During this stint, he showcased a 1-1 record with a 3.38 ERA, a 1.275 WHIP, and 16 strikeouts in 13 1/3 innings. With the recent addition of Marcus Stroman to the pitching roster, Weaver is poised to play a valuable role as either a back-end starter or a long reliever, adding depth to the Yankees’ pitching rotation.

As for Castillo, his major league career has seen him appear in 97 games, with the majority (96) played with the Pittsburgh Pirates, where he made his debut in 2022. In the previous season, he played a single game for the Arizona Diamondbacks. Castillo’s track record includes a .205 batting average, 11 home runs, 29 RBIs, and 13 doubles. Beyond his offensive contributions, Castillo’s defensive versatility, having played various positions at the major league level, adds an additional layer of value for the Yankees.