Ernesto

Martinez Jr.

Fernández is the highest-profile inclusion among the latest batch of cuts from Yankees camp after being claimed off waivers from the Rockies earlier in the offseason. Ornelas and Short figure to stick around as emergency stopgap options for New York in case injuries take a toll on their infield depth.

Martinez has yet to reach the big leagues and represents a depth addition for New York after slashing .255/.357/.388 with six homers and one steal in 80 games for Triple-A Nashville this past season. The 26-year-old will get plenty of run on the doorstep of the majors but will be hard-pressed to break into the Yankees’ overcrowded outfield mix.

Martinez missed 2 1/2 weeks with a thumb injury sustained on a slide last month. The 25-year-old is hitting .300/.383/.471 for Nashville and could be an option at first base or DH for the Brewers if anything opens up.

Martinez was off to a .303/.390/.485 start for Nashville before getting hurt April 22, making him a candidate to perhaps replace Jake Bauers in Milwaukee at some point. Bauers, though, has been fine in his part-time role, and Martinez, while potentially better offensively, doesn’t offer Bauers’ flexibility in the outfield.

Martinez registered an .832 OPS for Biloxi in 2024. He’ll provide organizational depth for Milwaukee in 2025 with an outside chance of making his MLB debut over the summer.

Martinez, a 24-year-old from Cuba, hit .261/.345/.416 with 12 homers and 16 steals between high-A and Double-A last season. It sounds like the plan is for him to report to camp with the minor leaguers.