Overview
- The Yankees signed right-hander Bradley Hanner to a major-league contract and optioned him to Triple-A after transferring Aaron Judge to the 60-day injured list, a transaction announced during the team’s weekend series.
- Adding Hanner to the 40-man nullified his opt-out and keeps the 27-year-old in the organization after a strong Triple-A run that included a roughly 1.99 ERA and high strikeout rate over about 40 2/3 innings.
- Judge’s IL stint was backdated to early June and the team says he has not resumed baseball activities, making a return before August unlikely and keeping him unavailable for the stretch run.
- The 60-day move is a procedural way to open a 40-man spot for Hanner while leaving Judge on the roster but out of action, and team statements say it does not necessarily indicate a new setback.
- The roster change raises short-term questions for New York’s lineup and bullpen depth and could shape the club’s approach to the July trade deadline and internal promotions in the coming weeks.