New York Yankees Release Melky Mesa

Mandatory Credit: Debby Wong-USA TODAY Sports

Melky Mesa’s future with the New York Yankees organization had already been in question this upcoming offseason, as he’d need to remain on the 40-man roster in order to avoid being eligible for the Rule 5 Draft but also factoring in the fact that he’ll be out of options next Spring. Chances were already high that Mesa’s time with the Yankees was running short, but the team didn’t wait to make a decision on that future. Mesa was granted his unconditional release late Sunday morning by the team. A hamstring injury that he suffered running the bases during a game last week had already ended his 2013 season.

Mesa appeared in just five games for the Yankees this season, going 5 for 14 with a pair of doubles (a .385/.429/.538 line). He’d spent the bulk of the year with Triple-A Scranton, where he’d hit .261/.295/.452 in 332 PA on the year. Mesa’s shown flashes of multiple tools since the organization first signed him as an amateur free agent out of the Dominican Republic. He’s just never been able to put things together consistently enough to live up to all of that potential.

This past Spring’s World Baseball Classic could have been a significant showcase for Mesa, as he was expected to figure prominently into the Dominican Republic’s lineup heading into the tournament. Mesa opted to skip the event, instead focusing on his efforts in Spring Training in order to earn a place with the Yankees this season.

New York also transferred Jayson Nix to the 60-day DL in order to create an additional space on their 40-man roster in addition to the opening created by Mesa’s release. The team recalled five players with the expansion of rosters: infielder David Adams, catcher J.R. Murphy, left-hander Cesar Cabral, and right-handers Dellin Betances and Brett Marshall. Another right-hander, Preston Claiborne, will likely join the team on Monday.