With their depth being tested already and not a full month into the season, the Yankees signed infielder Brad Miller to a minor league contract Monday. The utility infielder was designated for assignment by Cleveland on April 15.
The 29-year-old played in 13 games this season, hitting .250/.325/.417 with a home run, four RBIs, four walks and a stolen base. The lefty-hitter has extensive experience at shortstop (375 games) and second base (169) over parts of seven seasons in the big leagues. All 13 of his appearances with Cleveland this season came at second.
He also has experience at first base (75 games) and third base (seven games). He has played 42 games in the outfield, but not since 2016.
A career .240/.313/.409 hitter, Miller has played with Seattle, Tampa Bay, Milwaukee and Cleveland.
The Yankees already have 13 players on the injured list, including all three expected starting outfielders. They lost Opening Day third baseman Miguel Andujar on April 1, but are hopeful he can avoid season-ending surgery on his torn right labrum. They lost backup first baseman Greg Bird to a torn plantar fascia and Opening Day starting shortstop Troy Tulowitzki to a strained left calf.
With an All-Star roster on the IL, the Yankees have raided their farm system. They have every healthy position player on their 40-man roster at the big league level right now. So they have added minor league free agents like Miller and Logan Morrison for insurance.
