Jeimer Candelario, Yankees Reportedly Agree to MiLB Contract After Reds Release

The New York Yankees signed infielder Jeimer Candelario to a minor-league contract following his release by the Cincinnati Reds, MLB.com's Bryan Hoch reported on Saturday.

He will now report to the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, according to Hoch.

Candelario was released midway through the three-year, $45 million contract he signed with the Reds ahead of the 2024 season. He last made an MLB appearance in April before going on the IL with a lower back injury.

The veteran infielder had struggled at the plate prior to his IL placement, batting just .113 with a .410 OPS through 22 games and 99 plate appearances with the Reds.

He spent the month of June on a rehab assignment, during which he batted .211 with a .651 OPS in 15 games for the Triple-A Louisville Bats. He was held without a hit in his final two Triple-A appearances.

The Reds announced on June 23 that Candelario would be activated from the 10-day injured list and designated for assignment. His release became official when he cleared waivers one week later.

Candelario had $23 million remaining on his contract at the time of the waiver, including just under $8 million remaining this season, according to ESPN.

He is also set to receive $12 million in 2026 in addition to a $3 million buyout for the 2027 season, per ESPN.

Reds president of baseball operations Nick Krall told The Athletic's C. Trent Rosecrans that the club would "look at it as a sunk cost because you can’t bring a player that’s not going to help his team win."

Candelario played at first base, third base and as designated hitter with the Reds this season.

The Reds will now rely on Spencer Steer and Noelvi Marte in the infield, while Austin Hays will stick in the DH spot as he works his way back into the outfield following a foot injury.

Candelario will meanwhile look to begin working his way back to MLB behind a Yankees team that went 13-14 in June and are 0-4 to start off the month of July.

The Yankees also recently signed infielder Nicky Lopez to a minor-league deal. If Candelario is able to find more consistent offense at the Triple-A level, both he and Lopez could become candidates for potential call-ups down the stretch.