New York Yankees Expected To Lose 3-Year MLB Player During Dodgers Series

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TAMPA, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 25: Jonathan Ornelas #64 of the New York Yankees reacts after hitting an RBI single in the fourth inning against the Washington Nationals during a Grapefruit League spring training game at George M. Steinbrenner Field on February 25, 2026 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)

On Thursday, the New York Yankees are off for the final day of All-Star break.

They will resume play on Friday evening when they host the Los Angeles Dodgers in the Bronx.

Yankees Expected To Lose 3-Year Player

UPDATE: Ornelas has been officially released.

SWB RailRiders

@swbrailriders · Follow

The Yankees have made the following roster moves affecting SWB:

• INF Jonathan Ornelas released from Minor League contract by NY on 7/16 • INF George Lombard Jr. activated off the 7-Day Injured List

4:22 pm · 17 Jul 2026

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Ahead of their series with the Dodgers, Francys Romero of Beisbol FR reported the news that Jonathan Ornelas will likely opt out of his deal with the Yankees.

Romero wrote: “Infielder Jonathan Ornelas has an opt out of his contract with the Yankees, per sources. He will opt out this week making him a free agent. Ornelas is slashing .299/.362/.480 with 13 doubles, 9 HR, and 39 RBI at Triple-A Scranton.”

Francys Romero

@francysromeroFR · Follow

Infielder Jonathan Ornelas has an opt out of his contract with the Yankees, per sources.

He will opt out this week making him a free agent.

Ornelas is slashing .299/.362/.480 with 13 doubles, 9 HR, and 39 RBI at Triple-A Scranton.

2:48 pm · 16 Jul 2026

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Ornelas has not appeared in a game for the Yankees.

He signed a Minor League deal with the franchise over the offseason.

@NYY_Prospects had written (on November 19, 2025): “The Yankees have signed INF Jonathan Ornelas to a minor league contract. Ornelas has 32 MLB games under his belt with the Rangers and Braves from 2023-25. Last year in Triple-A, he slashed .196/.295/.303 in 115 games. Played 2B/SS/3B/LF/CF.”

Yankees Prospect Watch

@NYY_Prospects · Follow

The Yankees have signed INF Jonathan Ornelas to a minor league contract.

Ornelas has 32 MLB games under his belt with the Rangers and Braves from 2023-25.

Last year in Triple-A, he slashed .196/.295/.303 in 115 games. Played 2B/SS/3B/LF/CF.

12:50 pm · 19 Nov 2025

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Looking At Ornelas

Ornelas was picked in the 3rd round of the 2018 MLB Draft by the Texas Rangers.

He spent part of three MLB seasons with Texas before finishing last year with the Atlanta Braves.

Over his 32 career games, the 26-year-old is batting .208 with 11 hits, three RBIs and four runs.

Based on his numbers in Triple-A (and age), it will be interesting to see if another team picks up Ornelas before the end of the 2026 season.

He could provide good depth to another organization.

Yankees Ahead Of Dodgers

The Yankees are currently the second-place team in the American League East with a 54-42 record in 96 games.

They have gone 23-20 in 43 games at home in the Bronx.