Just when it looked like the Yankees would give at-bats to Josh Donaldson when he was healthy enough to return in mid-September, the organization finally decided to cut the cord. On Tuesday, they announced his official release.
Simply put, there was not much to gain if Donaldson returned and took valuable playing time from the young players. Oswald Peraza, Everson Pereira, Oswaldo Cabrera, and others need to get every plate appearance available. They are in the team’s 2024 plans and Donaldson, well, isn’t. Merely having him on the roster would cost one of their 28 spots in September best served for someone who will play a role in the seasons ahead.