The Yankees have signed outfielder Willie Calhoun to a minor league deal, according to MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand (Twitter link). The contract includes an invitation to New York’s big league Spring Training camp.
Formerly a top-100 prospect, Calhoun looked to be paying off that potential when he hit .269/.323/.524 with 21 homers over 337 plate appearances with the Rangers in 2019. However, Calhoun suffered a frightening injury in Spring Training 2020 when his jaw was broken by an errant Julio Urias fastball, and while the COVID-19 shutdown allowed time for Calhoun to recover in time for the delayed Opening Day, he also missed time that season with a hamstring injury.
Hopes for a fresh start in 2021 were fruitless, as Calhoun spent over three months on the injured list after his forearm was fractured by another pitch. After a slow start in 2022, the Rangers optioned Calhoun to Triple-A, which led to Calhoun openly asking for a trade and criticizing the Texas coaching staff. The Rangers did end up moving Calhoun to the Giants last June in a swap for Steven Duggar, though Calhoun spent much of his time at the Triple-A level with the San Francisco organization. Calhoun appeared in only four MLB games with the Giants before being designated for assignment and outrighted off the 40-man roster in September.
More to come…
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