Diamondbacks sign former Yankees infielder to minor league deal

The Arizona Diamondbacks on Saturday signed infielder Andrew Velazquez to a minor league contract, according to an announcement from their Triple-A affiliate. The 31-year-old, represented by CAA Sports, returns to the organization that originally drafted him in the seventh round (243rd overall) of the 2012 MLB Draft.

Velazquez spent part of the 2026 preseason with the Texas Rangers on a non-roster deal but fared poorly in limited action, hitting .111/.194/.185 across 32 plate appearances in 16 Spring Training games before his release on March 26. He had not appeared in the majors since 2023 with the Los Angeles Angels and spent the past two seasons at the Triple-A level.

In 2025, with the New York Yankees’ Triple-A affiliate, Velazquez compiled a .242/.304/.345 slash line over 368 plate appearances, adding five home runs, 41 RBI, and 25 stolen bases, resulting in a 74 wRC+. His offensive production has remained below league average in recent years, with his last above-average Triple-A season coming in 2021 (119 wRC+ in 306 plate appearances). However, his speed is still a factor, having stolen 58 bases in 224 minor league games since the start of 2024.

Defensively, Velazquez brings versatility. Primarily a shortstop in the majors, he recorded 11 Defensive Runs Saved and 3 Outs Above Average over 906 innings in 2022. That dropped to -5 DRS and -3 OAA in 233 1/3 innings in 2023. He has also seen action at multiple positions, including second base, third base, and all three outfield spots during his career.

Throughout his MLB career, Velazquez has played for the Tampa Bay Rays, Cleveland Indians, Baltimore Orioles, Yankees, and Angels.

The Diamondbacks’ current infield remains anchored by Geraldo Perdomo and Ketel Marte, limiting Velazquez’s immediate path to the majors. He is expected to serve as organizational depth and could be a call-up option if injuries arise.

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