The Yankees have reportedly brought back Donovan Solano under a minor league contract, according to Baseball America’s latest update of its minor-league free agent tracker. The 28-year-old infielder hit .319 with seven home runs last year for the Triple-A Railriders. He also recorded 67 RBIs and led the International League in hits with 163.
After the season, Solano was named a postseason International League all-star. He played in a total of nine games with the Yankees in the majors last year, batting .227 with two doubles and a homer. Prior to 2016, Solano played four seasons with the Miami Marlins.
Solano will provide minor league depth, as well as compete for the back-up role at the Major League level. Rob Refsnyder, Ronald Torreyes, and newly acquired Ruben Tejada will also be competing for that job. Refsnyder batted .250 last year in 58 games with the Yankees, while Torreyes hit .258 in 72 games.
With no clear favorite, Spring Training should decide who fills the back-up utility infielder role with the Yankees, and who starts the season in Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
