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

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."

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. 

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.