Former Angels Utility Man Joins New York Yankees on Minor League Deal

 

Former Los Angeles Angels utility man José Rojas has signed a minor league contract with the New York Yankees.

The 30-year-old was offered an invite to Major League spring training and will earn $750,000 in the majors and $180,000 in the minors.

Rojas spent the 2023 season with the Doosan Bears of the Korean Baseball Organization where he batted .253 with a .819 OPS in 122 games. He slugged .474, hit 19 home runs and collected 55 walks while only striking out 68 times in 464 plate appearances.

Rojas was drafted by the Angels in the 36th round of the 2016 MLB Draft.

He spent parts of the 2021-22 seasons at the Angels’ big-league level. He appeared in 83 games and hit .188 with a .584 OPS.

His versatility was on display with the Angels where he played both corners, second base and outfield, which is likely one of the reasons the Yankees are giving him an opportunity.

Rojas will have to translate his KBO success at spring training to earn a spot on the MLB roster at some point next season. Yankees’ spring training is set to begin on Feb. 20 in Tampa, Fla.