YANKEE STORY: YANKEES RELEASE PLAYERS

by: Victor Suarez

Josh Donaldson Released by Yankees, Harrison Bader Placed on Waivers

The New York Yankees released third baseman Josh Donaldson on Tuesday, ending his unproductive two-season tenure with the team. Donaldson, 37, hit .207 with 25 homers and 77 RBIs over 165 games in two seasons since he was acquired from Minnesota in March 2022. He was placed on the 60-day injured list with a right calf strain on July 20 and is eligible to be activated on September 15.

Donaldson would not have to finish the remainder of his stint on the injured list and could immediately sign with another team, which would pay him only a prorated share of the $720,000 minimum. A player must be in an organization by midnight EDT Thursday to be eligible for postseason play with that team.

The Yankees also placed center fielder Harrison Bader on waivers on Tuesday. Bader, 29, is a Gold Glove winner who is hitting .242 with seven homers, 37 RBIs and 16 stolen bases in 82 games this season. He is eligible for free agency after the World Series.

Teams have until 2 p.m. EDT Thursday to claim Bader. A club taking over Bader’s contract on Thursday would owe $758,065 of his $4.7 million salary.

The Yankees are currently in last place in the American League East and are unlikely to make the playoffs. The moves to release Donaldson and place Bader on waivers are a sign that the team is preparing for a rebuild.