Ex-Yankees Infielder Lands With Contender After Rough Stretch With AL West Club

One former member of the New York Yankees is on the move. 

Former Yankees infielder Andrew Velazquez officially was claimed off waivers by the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday afternoon after spending the last two seasons with the Los Angeles Angels, according to the club. 

"The Braves today claimed (infielder) Andrew Velazquez off waivers from the Los Angeles Angels and optioned him to Triple-A Gwinnett," the club said. "To make room on the 40-man roster, Atlanta transferred RHP Yonny Chirinos to the 60-day injured list."

Velazquez has been a journeyman throughout his six-year big league career. The 29-year-old began his Major League Baseball career as a member of the Tampa Bay Rays in 2018. Velazquez was drafted in the seventh round of the 2012 Major League Baseball June Amateur Draft and was traded to Tampa Bay in 2014. The infielder has spent time with the Cleveland Guardians, Baltimore Orioles, Yankees, and Angels throughout his big league career. 

The 29-year-old struggled with the Angels this season and appeared in just 54 games. Over that stretch, Velazquez slashed .173/.264/.284 to go along with two home runs, three RBIs, and 13 stolen bases. Velazquez spent the 2021 campaign in the Yankees organization. The utility man spent 28 games with the big league club and slashed .224/.235/.358 to go along with one home run and six RBIs. He spent 77 games with the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Railriders and slashed .273/.362/.451 with seven home runs and 46 RBIs. 

Velazquez will now have the opportunity to work his way back up to the big leagues in the Braves organization. Atlanta arguably has been the best team in baseball this season and has a real shot at a World Series title.