Yankees Sign Paul DeJong: Veteran Infielder Battles for Bench Spot

DeJong's Comeback Story Adds Intrigue to Yankees' Crowded Roster

Apr. 13, 2026 at 12:58am by

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting a baseball player in mid-swing, with sharp planes of navy, red, and yellow color creating a dynamic, abstract composition.A cubist interpretation of a Yankees player's swing captures the dynamic energy and uncertainty of DeJong's comeback bid.San Francisco Today

The New York Yankees have signed veteran infielder Paul DeJong to a minor league deal, adding an intriguing layer to their already stacked roster. DeJong, now 32, has had a rollercoaster career, rising quickly with the St. Louis Cardinals before a decline in performance led to trades and short-term contracts with rebuilding teams. Now, he'll compete for a bench spot on the Yankees, facing off against players like Amed Rosario, J.C. Escarra, Oswaldo Cabrera, Jorbit Vivas, and Braden Shewmake.

Why it matters

DeJong's signing is a compelling comeback story, as the once-promising infielder looks to revive his career with the high-powered Yankees. His journey highlights the ups and downs of professional baseball, and his ability to secure a roster spot will depend on how he performs against a crowded field of bench candidates.

The details

Drafted by the Cardinals in 2015, DeJong burst onto the scene in 2017 with 25 home runs, finishing second in NL Rookie of the Year voting. He was rewarded with a long-term contract, but his offensive numbers declined in subsequent years, leading to trades to the Blue Jays, White Sox, and Nationals. Despite a brief resurgence in 2023, DeJong's free agent prospects have been challenging, and he's now looking to earn a spot on the Yankees' bench.

  • DeJong was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in 2015.
  • DeJong made his MLB debut with the Cardinals in 2017, hitting 25 home runs.
  • DeJong signed a long-term contract extension with the Cardinals in 2017.
  • DeJong was traded to the Blue Jays in 2022 after his offensive numbers declined.
  • DeJong signed a $1 million deal with the Nationals in 2023, but was injured for much of the season.

The players

Paul DeJong

A 32-year-old infielder who was once a promising prospect with the St. Louis Cardinals, but has since struggled with inconsistent performance and short-term contracts with rebuilding teams.

Amed Rosario

A utility infielder who has secured a bench role with the Yankees.

J.C. Escarra

An infielder who has also secured a bench role with the Yankees.

Oswaldo Cabrera

An infielder competing with DeJong for a bench spot on the Yankees' roster.

Jorbit Vivas

An infielder competing with DeJong for a bench spot on the Yankees' roster.

Braden Shewmake

An infielder competing with DeJong for a bench spot on the Yankees' roster.

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What’s next

The Yankees will evaluate DeJong's performance during spring training and make a decision on whether to keep him on the major league roster or assign him to the minors.

The takeaway

DeJong's signing with the Yankees represents a compelling comeback story, as the veteran infielder looks to revive his career and secure a spot on a contending team. His ability to make the roster will depend on how he performs against a crowded field of bench candidates, highlighting the ups and downs of professional baseball.