Conflicting reports emerge on Yankees outfielders as Opening Day roster deadline looms
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This story has been updated to reflect flying rumors.
After Tuesday's exhibition finale in Washington, both Rafael Ortega and Estevan Florial headed north with the Yankees to prepare for Opening Day Thursday against the Giants.
Which one will stay in New York long enough to watch the festivities? That's anybody's guess.
According to Aaron Boone on Tuesday, a final decision hasn't been made regarding Florial and Ortega, and the rest of the roster also remains unfinalized.
That means, in addition to the demotion of either Florial or Ortega, following in Willie Calhoun's footsteps, another shakeup via trade could still be on the table. Isiah Kiner-Falefa, a redundant utility option and non-everyday player, could potentially be moved in order to allow the Yankees to carry both outfielders.
Florial, who's out of minor-league options, could also be dealt in the coming hours.
Estevan Florial and Rafael Ortega are going with the team to New York, but a final decision on them hasn’t been made yet, per Aaron Boone.
— Max Goodman (@MaxTGoodman) March 28, 2023
Willie Calhoun is headed to Triple-A SWB.
Yankees Roster Moves: Estevan Florial, Rafael Ortega still in limbo
But ... wait just a minute ... because MLB Trade Rumors' Steve Adams believes Ortega was informed on Tuesday that he wasn't making the final roster, and was granted his release.
Rafael Ortega has requested and been granted his release from the #Yankees, I’m told.
— Steve Adams (@Adams_Steve) March 28, 2023
Neither outfielder finished off a beginning-to-end sterling spring; Florial hit just .163 with a homer, 5 steals, and 8 RBI in 43 at-bats, while Ortega started strong (and walked a team-leading 10 times), but hit just .158 in camp. Three of his six hits were home runs, and his final blast -- on Monday -- was a particularly mammoth shot.
Judging by the state of the bullpen, too, the Yankees are not done wheeling and dealing in the final days before a roster must be submitted.
Both Greg Weissert and spring standout Ian Hamilton were both demoted on Tuesday, too. Presumably, that clears up a spot for fifth starter Jhony Brito, as well as Albert Abreu and Jimmy Cordero, who were already announced by Boone as rostered Yankees. Hamilton, who reportedly has an opt-out, must not be triggering it, and will probably be given a 40-man slot for his generosity.
Yankees are optioning Greg Weissert to Triple-A, per Boone. Ian Hamilton also headed there — Boone said he hasn’t been added to 40-man yet but he had an opt-out.
— Greg Joyce (@GJoyce9) March 28, 2023
Yankees also sending Willie Calhoun out. Estevan Florial & Rafael Ortega will both travel to NY.
Roster still not set.
Who stays? Who goes? Both? Neither? Does someone's goodbye get awkward? And could it be Kiner-Falefa leaving town over either of the outfield options?
We'll know everything we need to by Wednesday when the full rosters will drop.