Yankees sign former Rangers infielder as Anthony Volpe will likely start 2026 on IL

Yankees sign former Rangers infielder Jonathan Ornelas as Anthony Volpe will likely start the 2026 season on the IL

The New York Yankees and former Rangers infielder Jonathan Ornelas have agreed to a minor league contract, according to MLB's transaction log. He'll get a non-roster invitation to MLB Spring Training and could opt out midway through the season if he’s not on the 40-man roster, per Francys Romero.

Ornelas, whom the Rangers selected in the third round of the 2018 MLB Draft, had just 10 big-league plate appearances last season, going 0-for-5 with a walk with the Rangers before collecting two singles in four plate appearances with the Atlanta Braves, who acquired Ornelas from the Rangers in exchange for cash on May 24. In 454 Triple-A plate appearances this past season, Ornelas struggled with a .196/.295/.303 slash line.

The Braves designated Ornelas for assignment on Sept. 19. They sent him outright to the Triple-A Gwinnett Stripers. He then elected free agency on Nov. 6.

Before 2025, Ornelas had eight plate appearances with the Rangers in 2023, the year he made his MLB debut, and 40 plate appearances in 2024. Overall, the infielder has slashed .208/.263/.245 (49 OPS+) with two doubles and three RBI in 58 MLB plate appearances. In seven minor league seasons, he has hit .258/.338/.373 with 52 homers and 284 RBI.

Former Rangers infielder Jonathan Ornelas' defensive versatility gives him good shot at cracking Yankees' 2026 Opening Day roster

Ornelas can play shortstop, second and third base. He also has experience in center and left field.

Yankees starting shortstop Anthony Volpe will likely begin the season on the Injured List after undergoing shoulder surgery. José Caballero is expected to be New York's shortstop until Volpe is healthy, with Braden Shewmake, Jorbit Vivas and Oswaldo Cabrera likely to serve as backup infielders. New York should have room for one more infielder, and Ornelas' defensive versatility gives him a good chance at cracking the Opening Day roster.

Even if Ornelas manages to make New York's Opening Day roster, his time there will likely be short-lived. Once Volpe is back, as long as the rest of the team is healthy, there won't be any room for Ornelas unless he impresses to the point where the Yankees cannot justify getting rid of him, which is unlikely.