Yankees Clear Roster Spot for O’Day, Designate Ben Heller for Assignment
Photo Via: John Rieger - USA Today Sports
The Yankees made the Darren O’Day signing official today, meaning their 40-man roster contained 41 players. Obviously, somebody needed to be removed today, but the questions were “who?” and “how?”. Today, we got our answer when reliever Ben Heller was designated for assignment.
Heller was first promoted to the Yankees in 2016 after coming over from Cleveland in the deadline deal that sent Andrew Miller to the Indians and netted the Yankees Clint Frazier, Justus Sheffield, and J.P. Feyereisen. Between injuries and minor league assignments, Heller never pitched much at the major league level. But he did furnish a 1.48 ERA in 24.1 innings across his last three seasons.
If the Bombers were to re-sign Brett Gardner or bring in one more major league reliever, they would face another 40-man roster cut-down situation. Pitcher Albert Abreu, although only 25 years old, is out of options, so he is a candidate to be designated if a spot is needed. Outfielder Greg Allen could also be designated, even though he was just scooped up by the Yankees, especially if the addition to the team is Gardner.
Heller will either be claimed by another organization or have the choice between opting for free agency or a minor league assignment.