Yankees Add Two Players to 40-Man Roster

Yankees Re-Sign Luke Weaver, Claim Diego Castillo

The new deal with Weaver is for one year with a club option for 2025. To clear a roster spot, the Yankees designated outfielder Bubba Thompson for assignment. To do the same for Castillo, they DFA’d infielder Jeter Downs, who the Yankees claimed off waivers from the Washington Nationals last month. Neither Thompson nor Downs saw any action in pinstripes before these moves. However, there’s a chance one or both could return to the roster since they were merely designated, not cut.

Weaver has spent most of his career as a starter since coming up with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2016. He started for three different teams last season, including the Yankees. Making three starts for the Bombers, he had a record of 1-1 with a 3.38 ERA, a 1.275 WHIP, and 16 strikeouts in 13 1/3 innings. It is possible Weaver could figure into New York’s rotation plans once again in 2024. The Yankees recently signed Marcus Stroman after apparently failing to meet Blake Snell‘s asking price. Stroman will accompany Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodon at the front of the rotation, but Weaver would fit nicely as either a back-end starter or a long reliever.

Castillo has appeared in 97 games in his brief major-league career. 96 of those were with the Pittsburgh Pirates, with whom he debuted in 2022. He then appeared in a single game for the Arizona Diamondbacks last season. For his career, Castillo has a .205 average with 11 home runs, 29 RBI, and 13 doubles. As well as providing a decent amount of pop, the Yankees could also use his defensive versatility. He has played several different positions at the major league level.