Potential Yankees bench option is making his opt-out decision painfully clear

Wondering why there are no accessible photographs of Cooper Hummel in a New York Yankees jersey after he was brought in the first week of April? Yeah, it's probably going to stay that way for a while.

Hummel was imported after the Houston Astros failed to find a place for him on their Opening Day roster after he posted an .871 OPS as a right-handed batter last season (at the minor-league level). That means, theoretically, he could swoop into Pablo Reyes' role against left-handers as a one-for-one replacement ... but only in theory.

As it stands, Hummel has been injured for nearly his entire Yankees tryout, and only recently rejoined the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders' active roster on May 10. The versatile fielder, who covered right, left, and first last season, would be a "fifth outfielder" in the Bronx, which has become a less-than-essential role, given Trent Grisham's star power.

He can opt out of his minor-league deal at the end of May if he isn't elevated to the big-league roster, but missing all but six games hasn't helped him build his case. He's also started ice cold, going 4-for-19 (all singles) with six walks thus far in the uniform.

Yankees utility option Cooper Hummel probably has no reason to be added to MLB roster

If Hummel could competently play either third or second base, a hot two weeks at Triple-A would probably be enough for the Yankees to consider using him in Reyes' place. After all, their incumbent's loudest contribution to the 2025 season thus far was probably the time he landed on Heston Kjerstad's head.

Thankfully, there probably isn't a ticking clock on Hummel, at this point. Given the lack of data he's been able to put up so far at Triple-A, it's tough to make a compelling argument that any other big-league club besides the Yankees would be willing to grant him an immediate roster spot. Sure, he could opt out and test his luck, but given the Yankees' sketchy bench, isn't waiting a little longer for a potential opportunity probably worth it?

As long as Hummel believes that his best it yet to come, he probably isn't going anywhere.