Yankees claim Trayce Thompson off waivers from Dodgers

The Yankees have claimed outfielder Trayce Thompson off waivers from the Dodgers, Yankees PR announced earlier today. As a corresponding roster move to make room on the 40-man roster, the Yankees have transferred righty Ben Heller to the 60-day DL.

Thompson, the brother of Warriors’ guard Klay Thompson, has played in parts of three big league seasons with the White Sox and Dodgers. During that span, the 27-year-old has slashed .233/.310/.445 with 19 homers, 50 RBIs, 21 doubles, and four triples across 151 career games.

This move does not come as a surprise, as the Yankees recently shut down Jacoby Ellsbury due to a hip issue, and Aaron Hicks is still on the DL from an Opening Day oblique injury. The club also lost Billy McKinney to an injury. Currently, the Yankees have a three-man outfield of Giancarlo Stanton, Brett Gardner, and Aaron Judge.

With injuries to three outfielders, Thompson could see himself in the Bronx as early as this week until the Yankees get Hicks and Ellsbury back. However, he will primarily be used as organizational depth and will come up as injuries arise.