Yankees All-Star Veteran Serves Notice: He's Ready to Opt-Out & Hit Free Agency

The New York Yankees are about to get Anthony Volpe back in their infield, according to reports. When that happens, the path to playing time in the majors for veteran Paul DeJong will decrease even more.

The MLB veteran is currently toiling in the minors, but he has reportedly warned the Yankees that if he isn't called up by the end of the month (just three days from now), he'll be activating his opt-out clause and head back into free agency. This, from insider Jon Heyman of the New York Post.

The 10-year veteran rejuvenated his career in 2024 with 24 home runs split between the Chicago White Sox and Kansas City Royals. But he fell back into disfavor last season with the Washington Nationals, managing just six homers and a .228 average.

Yankees signed DeJong to minor league deal this spring with opt-out

This year, signed by the Yankees to a minor league deal back in the spring as some insurance depth for the infield, DeJong is at Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in Triple-A, and although batting just .213, he does have six long balls with 13 RBIs and a .900 OPS.

For his career, the 32-year-old has slashed .229/.294/.416 for a .710 OPS. He's never been able to recapture his All-Star season of 2019, when he blasted 30 homers for the St. Louis Cardinals with 97 runs and 78 RBIs.

After spending his first six seasons in St. Louis, DeJong spent a bit of time with the Toronto Blue Jays and San Francisco Giants, along with the White Sox, Royals and Nationals.

The Yankees are currently 18-10 and in first place in the AL East. Even before Volpe's return, the infield already features Jazz Chisholm, Amed Rosario, Ryan McMahon, and Jose Caballero.