


The Yankees are adding a former first-round pick and Top-100 prospect to their bench.
The club claimed outfielder Taylor Trammell off waivers from the Dodgers on Thursday and designated infielder Kevin Smith for assignment to make room on the roster.
Trammell, 26, is a left-handed bat who has flashed some pop and speed in the minors but has not been able to translate that consistently enough to the majors.
Across parts of four seasons in the big leagues, Trammell has hit .165 with a .627 OPS, 15 home runs and four steals in 121 games.
In 604 minor league games, he has hit .271 with a .805 OPS, 71 home runs and 143 steals.
The Georgia native brings experience in all three outfield spots.
At least until DJ LeMahieu returns from the injured list (which could be as soon as next week), Trammell will offer depth on the bench alongside outfielder Trent Grisham and second baseman/left fielder Jahmai Jones.
Smith had been called up from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre last weekend when utility infielder Jon Berti was placed on the 10-day injured list with a left groin strain.
The roster move leaves the Yankees without a backup shortstop — Oswaldo Cabrera can move over there but he is starting every day at third base, and the Yankees would only use Jones at third base in a pinch.
Jones has also been taking ground balls recently at shortstop in pregame work, though he has never played there professionally.