Yankees add Randal Grichuk to competition for outfield bench spot

TAMPA — The Yankees are adding a veteran right-handed bat to their bench competition this spring.The club is signing outfielder Randal Grichuk to a minor league deal that includes an invite to big league camp, a source confirmed Wednesday night.Grichuk, 34, will try to prove he can fill a need for the Yankees as a righty bat off the bench that can play left field against left-handers (when Cody Bellinger would move over to center).Before adding Grichuk, the Yankees’ options beyond their projected starting outfield included Jasson Domínguez (a switch-hitter who is stronger from the left side), Spencer Jones (a lefty bat) and fellow non-roster invites Seth Brown and Yanquiel Fernandez — two more left-handed hitters.Across 12 seasons in the big leagues, Grichuk has hit .268 with a .819 OPS against lefties.

He had a dip in production last season with the Diamondbacks and Royals, when he hit .227 with a .703 OPS against lefties, though that still included a .430 slugging percentage.In 2024 with the Diamondbacks, he hit .319 with a .913 OPS against lefties....