West Sacramento, California — Once celebrated as a clutch performer in the Bronx, Gio Urshela now finds himself at a career crossroads after being designated for assignment by the Athletics on Friday.
The 32-year-old infielder, known for his steady glove and timely bat during his time with the New York Yankees, has struggled to regain form in 2025. The Athletics made the roster move ahead of their weekend series, parting ways with Urshela after a disappointing stint that may signal the end of his major league journey.
A fall from grace
Urshela signed a one-year deal with the Athletics during the offseason, seeking to reestablish himself as a dependable veteran presence after a foot fracture ended his 2023 campaign early. But his time with the A’s did not unfold as hoped.
In 61 games this season, Urshela hit just .226 with a .266 on-base percentage, managing only one home run and 20 RBIs. His defensive metrics also dipped, a departure from the elite third base play he showcased in New York from 2019 through 2021.
The Athletics, mired in a rebuild, opted to designate Urshela to open a roster spot for younger talent. The decision places the veteran on outright waivers, and if unclaimed, he could elect free agency.
Bronx memories linger
Yankees fans will remember Urshela’s breakout 2019 season, when he emerged as an unexpected star after being acquired from the Blue Jays for cash considerations. That year, he batted .314 with 21 home runs and 74 RBIs across 132 games, filling in at third base after injuries to Miguel Andújar and others.
Urshela’s poise under pressure and slick defense earned him a loyal following in New York. He delivered multiple key moments, including a memorable grand slam in the 2020 postseason against Cleveland.
The Colombian native hit .292 over three seasons in pinstripes, with 41 home runs and 153 RBIs in 291 games. He was traded to the Minnesota Twins in March 2022 as part of the deal that brought Josh Donaldson and Isiah Kiner-Falefa to the Yankees.
Recent stops fail to stick
Since leaving New York, Urshela’s career has struggled to recapture its earlier rhythm. He played 144 games for the Twins in 2022, posting a respectable .285 average but with limited power output.
In 2023, he joined the Angels and got off to a solid start, batting .299 over 62 games before a fractured pelvis abruptly ended his season in June. That injury, which required months of rehab, impacted his mobility and led to limited interest in the free-agent market.
Urshela started the 2024 campaign with Detroit, posting a .243 batting average alongside five homers and 37 runs batted in across 92 contests before his release in August. Atlanta subsequently signed the veteran, where he recorded a .265 average with four long balls and 15 RBIs over 36 appearances with the Braves.
The 33-year-old right-handed batter finished with a combined .250 average across 128 total games, including 102 starts at the hot corner and 15 at first base. Urshela went hitless in six at-bats during two postseason contests for Atlanta, marking his fifth season reaching the playoffs.
The Athletics gave Urshela a chance, but the experiment has now ended with his DFA on August 16.
Career uncertainty ahead
With rosters tightening and teams focusing on younger talent, Urshela now faces an uncertain future. He could be picked up by a contender in need of infield depth or accept a minor league assignment. Otherwise, free agency looms again.
No team has publicly expressed interest as of Saturday, and it remains unclear whether Urshela will clear waivers.
Throughout his nine-year major league career, Urshela maintains a .273 batting mark with 73 home runs, 332 RBIs and a .729 OPS spanning 792 games. His journey has included stops with Cleveland (2015, 2017), Toronto (2018), the Yankees (2019-21), Minnesota (2022), the Angels (2023), Detroit (2024) and Atlanta (2024).
The Colombian infielder posted a .299 average in 62 games with Los Angeles during 2023 before a pelvis fracture cut his season short in June. His breakout campaign came with New York in 2019, when he achieved a .314 batting average with 21 homers and 74 RBIs in 132 games.
Urshela topped all major league third basemen with a .992 fielding percentage during the 2020 season. He has recorded 614 of his 700 career starts at third base, establishing himself as a reliable defender at the position.
Yankees ties remain strong
Though his time with the A’s may be over, Urshela still holds a strong connection with Yankees fans and former teammates. His reputation as a clubhouse leader and quiet competitor made him a favorite in New York’s dugout.
“I loved my time with the Yankees,” Urshela said in a 2023 interview. “They gave me a chance, and I always tried to give them everything I had.”
The Yankees have not indicated interest in bringing him back, and their current infield depth — including DJ LeMahieu, Anthony Volpe, and Oswald Peraza — leaves little room.
Still, Urshela’s contributions during a difficult injury-plagued stretch for New York remain etched in the minds of many supporters.
A career at a crossroads
As of August 17, Urshela has not commented publicly on the A’s decision. He remains in DFA limbo for up to seven days, during which time he can be traded, claimed, or released.
His most recent appearance came on August 14, when he went 0-for-3 in a loss to the Rangers. His final hit with the A’s came the previous weekend, a pinch-hit single in Anaheim.
Urshela has tallied over 650 games across eight seasons with the Yankees, Guardians, Blue Jays, Twins, Angels, and Athletics. He owns a career .277 batting average with 51 home runs and 245 RBIs.
With age and injuries beginning to mount, Urshela may be nearing the end of his major league journey — a sobering turn for a player once beloved in the Bronx.
Whether this DFA marks the final chapter remains to be seen, but for now, the Yankees’ former folk hero waits for another opportunity that may never come.
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