BALTIMORE – Willie Calhoun is healthy again, but there is no longer a spot for him on the Yankees.
The club designated Calhoun for assignment on Friday morning after activating him off the 10-day injured list.
The left-handed hitting outfielder/DH had been sidelined by a quad strain since late June, but after he completed a rehab assignment on Thursday, the Yankees decided not to add him back to the active roster, especially since they are already expected to have to open another spot for Aaron Judge’s imminent return.
Calhoun, 28, hit .239 with a .712 OPS across 44 games for the Yankees this season after being called up from Triple-A on April 8 when Josh Donaldson landed on the IL.
He did not have any minor league options remaining, which is why the Yankees were forced to DFA him, exposing him to waivers.
The Yankees already have a pair of left-handed outfield bats on their current roster in Billy McKinney and Jake Bauers, one of whom (along with infielder Oswald Peraza) could be on the chopping block when Judge returns, likely as soon as Friday.
Like Calhoun, McKinney and Bauers are out of minor league options.
All three have received starts in left field this season, though the Yankees are still expected to try to find a more consistent option there by Tuesday’s trade deadline.
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