Yankees Retain Two Recent Roster Cuts for Spring Training

The team made a series of moves, including a trade and retaining players on waivers.

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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The New York Yankees made several roster moves ahead of spring training, including acquiring infielder Max Schuemann in a trade with the Athletics and designating outfielder Yanquiel Fernández for assignment. The team also announced that two recently-waived players, right-handed pitcher Dom Hamel and infielder Braden Shewmake, had cleared waivers and been outrighted to Triple-A, with both receiving non-roster invites to spring training.

Why it matters

The Yankees are working to build organizational depth, retaining players they feel could provide important depth if needed during the upcoming season. Keeping Hamel and Shewmake, who had been waived by the team, demonstrates the Yankees' commitment to developing talent and maintaining flexibility with their roster.

The details

In the trade, the Yankees acquired infielder Max Schuemann from the Athletics in exchange for right-handed pitcher Luis Burgos. As a corresponding move, the team designated outfielder Yanquiel Fernández for assignment. Meanwhile, the Yankees announced that right-handed pitcher Dom Hamel and infielder Braden Shewmake, who had been recently waived, had cleared waivers and been outrighted to Triple-A, with both receiving non-roster invites to spring training.

  • The roster moves were announced on February 9, 2026, just before spring training was set to officially kick off.

The players

Max Schuemann

An infielder acquired by the Yankees in a trade with the Athletics.

Luis Burgos

A right-handed pitcher traded by the Yankees to the Athletics.

Yanquiel Fernández

An outfielder who was designated for assignment by the Yankees.

Dom Hamel

A right-handed pitcher who cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A by the Yankees, receiving a non-roster invite to spring training.

Braden Shewmake

An infielder who cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A by the Yankees, receiving a non-roster invite to spring training.

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What’s next

The Yankees will continue to monitor the waiver wire and make additional roster moves as they finalize their spring training roster.

The takeaway

The Yankees are focused on building organizational depth and retaining players they feel could provide important depth during the upcoming season, even if those players were recently waived by the team.