Yankees Clear More 40-Man Space By Dealing Herrera

In their quest to clear more 40-man roster space in advance of Monday’s 8 p.m. deadline for teams to set their rosters before this year’s Rule 5 Draft, the Yankees made a small deal with the Rangers. The Yankees acquired lefthander Reiver Sanmartin for righthander Ronald Herrera, whom they acquired from the Padres in exchange for Jose Pirela two years ago. The move brings the Yankees’ 40-man roster down to 36 players and gives them a bit more space to protect players who would otherwise be selected by other clubs in the Rule 5 draft.

Rangers Acquire
Ronald Herrera, RHP (Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre)
Age: 21

Herrera, who made two appearances in the big leagues this year, dealt with a balky shoulder that delayed his season debut until April 30. He dominated with Double-A Trenton before making his major league debut on June 14. He went 8-0, 1.61 with Trenton and finished the year in Triple-A. Herrera, 22, entered the year ranked No. 27 among the Yankees’ Top 30 prospects. He pitches with a low-90s fastball that has touched 94. He also brings a slider and a changeup as his offspeed pitches. He brings some of the best control in the system, too, having walked just 15 hitters in 75.1 innings in 2017.

Yankees Acquire
Reiver Sanmartin, LHP (low Class A Hickory)
Age: 20

Sanmartin, who signed with the Rangers for $10,000 as a 19-year-old out of Colombia on July 2, 2015, spent the first two seasons of his career in the Dominican Summer League before jumping stateside for the first time this season. He spent the year at short-season Spokane and low Class A Hickory and put up a 7-2, 2.45 mark with 56 walks against nine walks in 66 innings. He works with a fringy fastball in the high-80s and couples the pitch with an average changeup and a slurvy curveball. Command and control are his best attributes.