Yankees claim intriguing 28-year-old outfield bat after disappointing Braves stint

The New York Yankees wanted an extra outfield bat, and they went out and found one on Thursday.

The Yankees' group of four core outfielders--Aaron Judge, Cody Bellinger, Jasson Domínguez, and Trent Grisham--has as high a ceiling as any team in the league. But they've been using journeyman Pablo Reyes as depth in the outfield in case of emergency, and if someone gets hurt, they'd probably prefer to have someone else out there.

Now, thanks to a waiver wire decision from the Atlanta Braves, the Yankees have a new outfielder who popped 21 major league home runs a season ago.

On Thursday, the Yankees announced they were moving designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton to the 60-day injured list as he attempts to rehab his elbow tendinitis. That opened up a spot on the 40-man roster, and New York claimed former Braves outfielder Bryan De La Cruz off waivers to fill that spot.

De La Cruz will report to Triple-A Scranton-Wilkes Barre.

De La Cruz, 28, has just over three years of major league service time under his belt, most of which came with the Miami Marlins. He was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates last season at the trade deadline, then signed with the Braves in the winter after Pittsburgh non-tendered him.

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On the season, De La Cruz had a .191/.240/.213 slash line in 16 games with the Braves. That marks the continuation of a downward trend from last season, in which he posted a career-worst 78 OPS+ despite the 21 homers.

For his career, De La Cruz owns a slash line of .251/.295/.402, for an OPS+ of 88.

The Dominican Republic native has always hit the ball hard, but has rarely posted the counting stats to show for it. Perhaps the Yankees can channel some of that loud contact into results.

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