Yankees release LHP Victor Gonzalez from minor-league deal

The Yankees have released Victor Gonzalez from his minor-league deal, according to an announcement from the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders.

Gonzalez, 28, was acquired from the Dodgers along with Jorbit Vivas for infielder Trey Sweeney in December, but he was designated for assignment in June after posting a 3.86 ERA and just 11 strikeouts in 23 1/3 innings.

The lefty accepted an outright to Triple-A after the DFA, and had a 4.50 ERA in 22 innings before being placed on the development list – a list instituted in 2022 to help teams limit players’ official game reps in various circumstances while not occupying a roster spot – on Saturday and eventually released Sunday.

Vivas did not play during a brief stint in MLB this year, and has slashed .231/.356/.355 with seven homers, 44 RBI, and 19 steals in 94 games across three levels (mostly SWB) while playing second and third.

Sweeney, who was the Yankees’ first-round pick in 2021, hit .255 in 96 games at Triple-A Oklahoma City before being dealt to Detroit for Jack Flaherty at the trade deadline. He has since made his MLB debut and become the Tigers’ everyday shortstop, and was slashing .217/.270/.420 with four home runs and 12 RBI in 24 games entering Sunday.