The Yankees have signed veteran utility man Pablo Reyes to a minor league deal, according to a report from Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News. The infielder will likely receive an invitation to big league Spring Training in a few months.
Reyes, 31, debuted in the majors with the Pirates in 2018. He had a strong showing in his initial 18-game stint, hitting .293/.349/.483 in 63 plate appearances in September. However, he struggled in his extended role the following season, batting just .203/.274/.322 in 71 games and was eventually sent to the minors. A PED suspension kept him out of the 2020 season, but he returned with the Brewers in 2021, where he hit .258/.330/.344 in limited playing time.
After becoming a free agent following the 2022 season, Reyes signed a minor league deal with the Athletics. However, he was traded to the Red Sox in May and had his best season yet, batting .287/.339/.377 in 64 games. Despite a rough start to the 2024 season, the Red Sox eventually designated him for assignment in April, leading to a brief stint with the Mets where he performed well in Triple-A.
Now with the Yankees, Reyes will compete for a spot on the bench alongside other players like Oswaldo Cabrera, Oswald Peraza, DJ LeMahieu, Jon Berti, and Jorbit Vivas. While not known for his offense, Reyes brings value with his baserunning skills and versatility in the field. If he doesn’t make the Opening Day roster, he could serve as a valuable depth option for the team.
