Yankees Facing Decision After Unexpected News on Thursday

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | Last updated May 22, 2025 11:16 PM ET

The New York Yankees defeated the Texas Rangers 1-0 on Thursday. This victory improved New York's record to 30-19, which is five-games better than the second-place Toronto Blue Jays in the American League East standings.

After winning the American League pennant last season, the Yankees again look to be among the short list of World Series favorites in 2025. As the lengthy MLB season often reveals, teams like New York heavily rely on top-end talent, but also need organizational depth to get through a 162-game grind.

On Thursday, the Yankees received some unexpected news on one of their minor league players in Scranton.

According to Joel Sherman of the New York Post, switch-hitting utility man Cooper Hummel has triggered his release clause. This leaves the Yankees with a decision to make.

"Cooper Hummel triggered his release clause yesterday," Sherman wrote on X. "Had been at AAA for Yankees, who had 72 hours to add, trade or release him. Would switch-hitting utilityman help more than Pablo Reyes is probably question NYY are asking about 26th roster spot?"

Cooper Hummel triggered his release clause yesterday. Had been at AAA for Yankees, who had 72 hours to add, trade or release him. Would switch-hitting utilityman help more than Pablo Reyes is probably question NYY are asking about 26th roster spot?
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) May 22, 2025

This news was unexpected, primarily because Hummel owns just a .705 OPS in Triple-A this season (via MiLB Stats). That level of production would seemingly not give a player much leverage, but perhaps the former 18th round pick feels he could produce better elsewhere, hence the move to force New York into a decision.

Hummel made his MLB debut in 2022 for the Arizona Diamondbacks. He also spent time with the Seattle Mariners and Houston Astros before signing with the Yankees as a free agent this year.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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