Yankees News: Tyler Wade Optioned to Triple-A Ahead of 2019 Opening Day

Timothy Rapp @@TRappaRTFeatured ColumnistMarch 24, 2019

WEST PALM BEACH, FL - MARCH 20: Tyler Wade #14 of the New York Yankees bats against the Houston Astros during a spring training game at The Fitteam Ballpark of the Palm Beaches on March 20, 2019 in West Palm Beach, Florida. The Astros defeated the Yankees 2-1. (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images)

Joel Auerbach/Getty Images

The New York Yankees announced Sunday they had optioned utility player Tyler Wade to the Triple-A Scranton Wilkes-Barre RailRiders.

Outfielder Mike Tauchman, whom the Yankees acquired Saturday in a trade with the Colorado Rockies, made the club over Wade, per Bryan Hoch of MLB.com.

Per Hoch, "manager Aaron Boone said that he saw the 28-year-old [Tauchman] as being capable of playing all three outfield spots. Wade, a converted infielder, began playing the outfield during the Arizona Fall League in 2016."

Joel Sherman @Joelsherman1
Tauchman fills 2 depth areas of need for #Yankees, ability to play CF/hit LH. He was stuck behind Dahl/Tapia with #Rockies.

Tauchman appeared in 52 games for the Rockies the past two seasons, hitting just .153 with two RBI, seven runs and two stolen bases. He's also struggled during spring training, hitting .196, though he's added seven runs and eight RBI.

Wade, 24, hasn't fared much better at the major league level, hitting .161 with a homer, seven RBI and 15 runs in 66 games over the past two seasons. He has had a solid spring, however, hitting .319 with a homer, three RBI and 12 runs.

Chris Moore @mooretosay
Not sure why I care, but I hope Tyler Wade gets to the end of the rainbow soon. He has not hit in the regular season.....but his chances have been limited. Hope he finds a spot somewhere and contributes the way I think he can. And I will be rooting for Torreyes too.

Sweeny Murti @YankeesWFAN
Also intriguing—we have assumed that when Hicks comes back the Yankees will carry only one 1B, either Voit or Bird but not both. This opens up possibility that Hicks can return to replace Tauchman and both Voit and Bird can stay on the roster.

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It's a tough break for Wade, who looked as though he earned the fourth outfielder gig with a solid spring. And if Tauchman struggles, Wade could find himself back in the big leagues before long. For now, however, the job belongs to Tauchman.