The Yankees did some roster housecleaning on Friday to finalize last weekend’s re-signing of free agent right-hander Luke Weaver.
Weaver was added to the 40-man roster, which was full before speedy outfielder Bubba Thompson was designated for assignment.
Thompson had joined the Yankees on a waiver claim on Jan 4.
All those moves keep the Yankees’ 40-man roster full with 20 pitchers and 20 position players.
Weaver, 30, spent the last two weeks of the 2023 season with the Yankees and returned on a one-year, $2-million deal that includes a $2.5 million club option for 2025.
The 6-2, 183 pounder is in the Yankees’ season-opening plans are a reliever who would be a first option to replace an injured starter. He was with three clubs last season and pitched to a high 6.40 ERA, but he fared well after the Yankees claimed him off waivers on Sept. 7, going 1-1 with a 3.38 ERA in three starts.
His 2024 salary includes performance bonuses that will be triggered if he’s used frequently as a starter or reliever. He’ll get a $50,000 bump for making 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 starts and another $50,000 for 45, 50, 55 and 50 outings.
Thompson, 25, would have been a longshot to break camp with the Yankees out of spring training.
A former first-round draft pick of the Rangers, Thompson is a career .242 hitter with one homer and 13 RBI over 92 big-league games with Texas. He hit .265 in 55 games in ‘22, then .170 with 37 games last season.
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