The New York Yankees made a roster move on Friday before their series opener against the Toronto Blue Jays at Yankee Stadium.
Outfielder Austin Slater, who was acquired in a deadline trade from the Chicago White Sox, was activated off the 10-day injured list just in time to face the American League’s best team.
Slater was placed on the IL with a left hamstring strain on Aug. 5 after playing just three games in a Yankees uniform. In a corresponding move, New York optioned rookie catcher J.C. Escarra to Triple-A following Thursday night’s win over the Houston Astros.
Prior to tonight’s game, the Yankees returned from rehab and reinstated OF Austin Slater (#29) from the 10-day injured list.
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) September 5, 2025
Slater off of IL
Slater, who is a right-handed batter, gives New York a solid option against left-handed pitching.
This season, he’s slashing.247/.321/.493 against lefties compared to just.193/.233/.281 vs. Right-handers. But Slater may not get much playing time this weekend against a Blue Jays’ rotation powered by righties.
Here’s what Randy Miller of NJ.com has to say about Slater’s role over the next few weeks:
“A free agent after the season, Slater probably will get starts in left or right field against left-handed pitching in the final three weeks of the regular season, but likely be a bench player this weekend because the Blue Jays are scheduled to start three right-handers—Kevin Gausman on Friday, Max Scherzer on Saturday and Chris Bassitt on Sunday.”
In Slater’s brief stint with New York before his injury, he went 0-for-7 with one RBI across three games. He played five rehab games at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes Barre and batted.214 with three hits, four walks and three runs.
The Yankees begin their series against Toronto tonight at 7:05 p.m. ET.