The Yankees were active on the waiver wire Tuesday, making a pair of moves to tweak their 40-man roster. They claimed right-hander Owen White and infielder Braden Shewmake, two players who’ve bounced around this offseason and are now getting a look in the Bronx.
Who is Owen White and Braden Shewmake?
To clear space on the 40-man roster, the Yankees designated right-hander Allan Winans for assignment. Winans, who was claimed off waivers from the Braves just two weeks ago, could now be on the move again.
White, 24, was once viewed as a legitimate arm in the Rangers’ system, but his stock has taken a hit over the past year. He made his MLB debut last season and allowed nine runs in three innings, then posted a 5.64 ERA over nearly 100 innings at Triple-A. Texas moved on from him this winter, and after a brief stint with Cincinnati, he now lands in New York.
Shewmake, 26, has also been on the move. A first-round pick by Atlanta in 2019, he was part of the Aaron Bummer trade this offseason but lasted less than a month with the White Sox before being waived. The Royals picked him up in January but quickly let him go. It’s not hard to see why. He hit .125 (8-for-64) in Chicago and was worth -0.6 bWAR in just 30 games.
The Yankees clearly see something worth exploring with both players, though neither acquisition is likely to make a major impact. White adds pitching depth, while Shewmake could get a look as a backup infielder. But at this stage, they’re lottery tickets, and the Yankees are taking their chances.
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