The Yankees' infield depth chart just got a little thinner. MLB Trade Rumors confirmed that infielder Jonathan Ornelas is opting out of his minor league deal with New York, cutting ties with the organization right as the trade deadline crunch heats up.
Jonathan Ornelas To Opt Out Of Yankees Deal t.co/N8ijDL3pHH
This isn't some throwaway roster move, either. Ornelas signed with the Yankees back in November on a non-roster invite, hoping to force his way onto the 40-man with his glove. He's a 26-year-old who's already logged big league time with the Rangers and Braves, and he made good on the bet — he slashed .299/.362/.480 with 9 homers and 13 doubles for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre this season. That's a legitimately strong Triple-A campaign for a guy who profiles as a versatile defender up the middle and at the corners.
The problem was the Yankees never called him up. When New York declined to add Ornelas to the 40-man roster, that triggered the opt-out clause built into his deal, and he took it, becoming a free agent instead of sticking around as organizational depth. It's the classic minor league contract dance: put up numbers, wait for a phone call that doesn't come, then bolt for a team that might actually have room.
For the Yankees, it's a minor subtraction in the grand scheme, but it's notable timing given the deadline is bearing down and New York has dealt with infield instability, including Anthony Volpe's injury situation, that made Ornelas a depth piece worth signing in the first place. Now he's on the open market looking for a club willing to give him the shot the Yankees wouldn't, and given how he hit in Scranton, someone probably will.