The New York Yankees have claimed outfielder Michael Siani off waivers from the Los Angeles Dodgers, who designated him for assignment earlier this week to make room for Kyle Tucker. In a corresponding move, the Yankees have designated right-handed pitcher Kaleb Ort for assignment.
Siani, 26, is known primarily for his speed and defensive skills in the outfield. Over the last four seasons in the big leagues, he has participated in 160 games, recording 21 stolen bases in 26 attempts. He has amassed 1,014 innings in the outfield, demonstrating versatility by playing all three outfield positions. His defensive prowess is reflected in his statistics, which show seven Defensive Runs Saved and 17 Outs Above Average.
However, Siani’s offensive performance has been less impressive. He has a .221/.277/.270 batting line over 383 plate appearances in the major leagues, with a walk rate of just 6.3% and a strikeout rate of 27.9%. This yields a wRC+ of 58, indicating he has performed 42% worse than the league average. In the minor leagues, his numbers have slightly improved, boasting a 14% walk rate and a .217/.329/.337 line over 938 plate appearances, although this still translates to a below-average wRC+ of 77.
Despite his underwhelming bat, Siani has garnered interest from several major league teams. He finished the 2025 season with the Cardinals and has also been claimed by the Braves and Dodgers this offseason, showing that teams see potential in him, particularly for his defensive capabilities. If he were to clear waivers unclaimed, he could serve as non-roster depth, suggesting that clubs are looking to benefit from his abilities.
For the Yankees, Siani may serve as a bench outfielder. He has one remaining option, allowing the team to send him to Triple-A while retaining his position on the 40-man roster. With outfielders Trent Grisham and Cody Bellinger re-signed, and Aaron Judge assured a starting spot, Siani’s role will depend on how the team manages its outfield depth. Prospects Jasson Domínguez and Spencer Jones, while valuable, may see limited playing time as well, especially with trade rumors swirling around them.
Siani’s future with the Yankees hinges on whether he can solidify his roster spot amid the team’s various options. Meanwhile, Kaleb Ort, who was just claimed off waivers from the Astros, is also facing uncertainty. Ort boasts upper 90s velocity but has struggled to convert that into consistent results at the big league level. With his performance under scrutiny, it’s possible the Yankees might re-enter the waiver process to manage their roster effectively.
As the offseason progresses, both Siani and Ort will need to demonstrate their value to secure their places on a competitive Yankees roster moving forward.