Yankees cut ties with beloved former Blue Jays outfielder

That move came with a second headline attached. New York used Grichuk's roster spot to call up top pitching prospect Elmer Rodriguez, which tells you the Yankees had seen enough from the veteran bench bat already.

Grichuk, 34, did not arrive in camp on a guaranteed deal. MLB Trade Rumors reported he signed a minor league contract over the winter, made the club despite a shaky spring, and was supposed to give the Yankees right-handed thump against lefties.

That never really showed up. In 33 plate appearances, Grichuk hit just .194/.212/.323 with 10 strikeouts, a thin line for a player whose whole job was to punish the exact pitching matchups New York wanted him to face.

The fall looks sharper because this is not the first warning sign. MLB Trade Rumors noted he also struggled in 2025, posting a .228/.273/.401 line across 293 plate appearances between Arizona and Kansas City.

Still, there was a reason a contender took the chance. He was only 1 year removed from a huge 2024 season with Arizona, when he slashed .291/.348/.528 and looked like a dangerous platoon bat again.

That is where the Blue Jays angle still lands. Grichuk spent 5 seasons in Toronto from 2018 through 2022, giving the club power, streaky offense, and a lot of everyday run even if the on-base numbers never fully came with it. His career line still sits at .250/.297/.464 with 212 home runs.

He was also built for a certain kind of role as he got older. MLB Trade Rumors pointed out that Grichuk has long hit left-handed pitching well, carrying a career .268/.318/.498 line against southpaws even with the recent dip.

That is why this DFA matters. The Yankees were not asking him to be an everyday regular. They were asking him to do the one job that has kept him valuable into his 30s, and he did not give them enough there.

Now the question becomes whether another club still sees enough in the platoon bat to make a claim or offer him another landing spot. Veterans with power and a track record against lefties usually get another look, especially if the commitment is small. That said, the margin is clearly getting tighter.

For Blue Jays fans, this is another reminder of how fast these careers turn. Randal Grichuk used to be a regular in Toronto's lineup. Now he is trying to prove there is still room for his bat in the league at all.