Yankees Castoff Signs With AL East Rival Shortly After Release From New York

Utility Player Cooper Hummel Signs Minor League Deal With New York Yankees - World Baseball Network

The New York Yankees signed veteran outfielder Cooper Hummel to a minor league contract in early April.

Less than two months later, after Hummel didn’t receive an opportunity at the major league level, the 30-year-old triggered the release clause in his contract.

On Saturday, the Yankees granted Hummel his release rather than adding him to the major league roster, allowing him to head to free agency. On Sunday, he wasted no time finding his next home, signing a major league contract with the Baltimore Orioles.

Hummel’s deal is for $765,000, per KPRC 2’s Ari Alexander. The Orioles designated infielder Terrin Vavra to make room for Hummel.

Hummel has appeared in parts of three seasons at the major league level with the Arizona Diamondbacks, Seattle Mariners and Houston Astros.

The right-handed hitter was initially drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 18th round of the 2016 MLB Draft. However, he wouldn’t debut with Milwaukee, as he was traded to the Diamondbacks ahead of the 2021 trade deadine.

Hummel debuted with Arizona in 2022. He ended up appearing in 66 games that season, slashing .176/.274/.307 with three home runs, 17 runs batted in, 14 extra-base hits and an OPS of .580.

After the 2022 season, the Diamondbacks traded Hummel to the Mariners. He would only appear in 10 games with Seattle in 2023, going 2-for-23 (.087) with nine strikeouts and an OPS of .323.

Hummel then bounced around a couple organizations before getting his next MLB opportunity with the Astros in 2024. He went 0-for-8 across six games with Houston.

While Hummel hasn’t shown much success at the MLB level, the Yankees gave him an opportunity in the minor leagues this year. Across 10 games at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, he went 9-for-31 (.258) while drawing nine walks to eight strikeouts.

Hummel has had success at Triple-A in his career. Across 340 games, he’s slashing .284/.419/.475 with 36 home runs, 179 RBIs and an OPS of .894.

The Orioles, who entered Sunday in last place in the AL East at 17-34, will look for Hummel to provide a spark. Orioles hitters entered Sunday with a combined OPS of .687, which ranked 23rd in MLB.

 

 

 

 

Related Posts

QUEENS SHOWDOWN: If Contracts Were Equal, Would the Mets Choose Pete Alonso or Cody Bellinger This Offseason? Both Stars Plan to Opt Out, Each With a Monster Season Under Their Belt, Front Office Faces a High-Stakes Decision That Could Define the Team, And Fans Can’t Stop Debating Which Superstar to Chase…ll

As the 2025 offseason approaches, the New York Mets face a key decision: if contract offers were similar, would they prefer to sign Pete Alonso or Cody…

QUEENS STRATEGY SHOCK: Could Moving Juan Soto to First Base Be the Key to Boosting the Mets’ Defense? Front Office Debates the Bold Move Behind Closed Doors, Analysts Speculate on Potential Upside and Risks, And The Decision Could Reshape the Team’s Infield Dynamics…ll

During the 2025 season, the New York Mets recognized a need to strengthen their defense, particularly in the outfield. One noticeable concern has been Juan Soto, the…

QUEENS BOMBSHELL: Pete Alonso Poised to Opt Out of Current Contract, Eyeing a Massive 7-Year Deal, Mets Front Office Scrambles to Weigh Their Options, And This Move Could Redefine the Team’s Future…ll

Pete Alonso Poised to Opt Out, Eyes 7-Year Contract Pete Alonso, the star first baseman of the New York Mets, is preparing to opt out of his…

QUEENS EXPLOSION: Pete Alonso Drops Bombshell Demands Amid Looming Free Agency, Mets Front Office Stunned by His Bold Move, Rival Teams Suddenly Circle Like Predators, And The Fallout Could Shake the Franchise to Its Core…ll

After blasting 38 home runs and having a brilliant season for the Mets, Pete Alonso seems likely to opt outand head for free agency

BRONX DECISION: Yankees Extend Aaron Boone’s Contract Through 2027, Front Office Sends a Clear Message About Stability and Belief, Fans Split Between Relief and Frustration, And This Move Could Define the Next Chapter of New York Baseball…ll

Please enable JS and disable any ad blocker

BRONX BREAKOUT: Yankees’ Young Slugger Just Showed the World He’s Ready for Stardom, His Confidence Lit Up the Diamond Like Never Before, Coaches Say They’ve Never Seen Him This Locked In, And It Feels Like New York’s Next Superstar Has Officially Arrived…llll

Ben Rice has arrived. After a breakout 2025 season, the Yankees’ young slugger looks ready to become a long-term force in New York’s lineup