As a result of the short spring training, MLB announced that every team would be allowed to carry 28 players on their roster through May 1.
Starting on May 2, however, the roster size would go down to 26.
That’s why we have seen so many roster moves in the last day, including some unexpected prospect demotions or high-profile veterans being designated for assignment.
The New York Yankees, in particular, had to cut two former top prospects from their roster.
One of them, Clarke Schmidt, was having a terrific season and remains very much in the team’s plans should an injury or trade occur.
Schmidt’s 2022 ERA is 1.08 in 8.1 innings, with eight strikeouts.
Andujar Returns To The Minors After Short Stint In MLB
The other player removed from the major league active roster is a player who had the look of a perennial All-Star after his stellar 2018 season, but injuries and underperformance set his career back: Miguel Andujar.
“Following today’s game, the Yankees optioned INF/OF Miguel Andújar and RHP Clarke Schmidt to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre,” the Yankees tweeted after Sunday’s finale against the Kansas City Royals.
Following today’s game, the Yankees optioned INF/OF Miguel Andújar and RHP Clarke Schmidt to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) May 1, 2022
The Yanks’ roster stands at 26 players with the two demotions.
Unlike Robinson Cano‘s situation with the Mets, in which he was designated for assignment, Schmidt and Andujar remain a part of the Yankees’ organization.
Andujar, who had two hits in five at-bats, will have to prove in the minors that he deserves another long look in the majors after posting OPS marks of .271, .632, and .667 from 2019 to 2021.
He slashed .297/.328/.527 with 27 home runs and 92 RBI in 2018, finishing behind Shohei Ohtani in 2018’s AL Rookie of the Year voting.
A torn labrum and some really bad years after 2018 have really affected Andujar’s career.
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