JOSH VANMETER NEWS

Becomes free agent VanMeter was released by the Yankees on Monday, Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports.

Impact VanMeter struggled to impress while at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, slashing .177/.335/.293 with three homers, 27 RBI, five stolen bases and 24 runs scored in 59 appearances. He hasn't seen big-league action since the 2022 campaign while with Pittsburgh.

AUGUST 12 • ROTOWIRE

Latches on with Yankees VanMeter signed a minor-league contract with the Yankees on Wednesday, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

Impact VanMeter, 28, spent the 2023 campaign at Triple-A Nashville in the Brewers organization, putting up a .762 OPS with six homers in 46 games. The utility player has slashed .206/.293/.347 over parts of four big-league seasons and looks destined for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to start 2024.

JANUARY 17 • ROTOWIRE

Pirates acquire 1B Ji-Man Choi from Rays

The Pittsburgh Pirates have acquired first baseman Ji-Man Choi from Tampa Bay

NOVEMBER 10, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Parts ways with Bucs VanMeter elected free agency Oct. 6.

Impact VanMeter's decision to test the open market comes about a month after he was outrighted off Pittsburgh's 40-man roster. The utility man appeared in 67 games at the big-league level in 2022, slashing .187/.266/.292 with three home runs and four stolen bases over 192 plate appearances.

OCTOBER 12, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Mets ride deGrom, Bassitt to doubleheader sweep of Pirates

Jacob deGrom threw seven dominant innings and the New York Mets routed the Pittsburgh Pirates 10-0 to complete a doubleheader sweep

SEPTEMBER 7, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Surging Blues Jays edge Pirates 4-3 to complete 3-game sweep

Teoscar Hernandez delivered the go-ahead RBI single in the seventh inning and the Toronto Blue Jays edged the Pittsburgh Pirates 4-3 to complete a three-game sweep

SEPTEMBER 4, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Slips into reserve role VanMeter is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Orioles.

Impact The lefty-hitting VanMeter will be on the bench for the fourth time in five games, this time with a righty (Spenser Watkins) taking the hill for the opposition. Michael Chavis will get the nod at first base Sunday, but Bligh Madris -- who is manning right field in the series finale -- looks to be the preferred option at the position over both Chavis and VanMeter at the moment.

AUGUST 7, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Stuck on bench again VanMeter remains on the bench Friday against the Orioles, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

Impact VanMeter has now been on the bench for three straight games, each of which has come against a right-hander. His .184/.267/.296 season slash line suggests he doesn't deserve everyday at-bats. Bligh Madris, who had previously been fighting for time in the outfield corners, will make his third straight start at first base.

AUGUST 5, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Takes seat Thursday VanMeter isn't in the lineup Thursday against Milwaukee.

Impact VanMeter has gone 1-for-4 with a run, a stolen base, three walks and three strikeouts over his last two games, but he'll retreat to the bench for a second consecutive matchup. Bligh Madris is shifting to first base while Greg Allen starts in center field.

AUGUST 4, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

On bench Wednesday VanMeter isn't starting Wednesday against the Brewers.

Impact VanMeter is getting a day off after he went 1-for-4 with a run, a stolen base, three walks and three strikeouts. Bligh Madris is starting at first base while Tucupita Marcano enters the lineup in left field.

AUGUST 3, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Swipes third bag VanMeter went 1-for-2 with a walk, a run scored and a stolen base Tuesday against the Brewers.

Impact VanMeter retains a strong-side platoon role in Pittsburgh, and he started at first base while hitting eighth Tuesday. He reached base on a free pass and proceeded to steal second base -- his third of the season -- before coming around to score. It's unclear how long VanMeter will maintain his role with the Pirates, but he's hit just .103/.265/.154 in 18 games since July 1.

AUGUST 3, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Cruz HR keys outburst as Pirates beat Brewers 5-3, end skid

Rookie Oneil Cruz hit a three-run homer to spark a five-run sixth inning as the Pittsburgh Pirates rallied for a 5-3 victory over the NL Central-leading Milwaukee Brewers, snapping...

AUGUST 3, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

On bench against left-hander VanMeter isn't starting Saturday against the Phillies.

Impact VanMeter will head to the bench for a second consecutive game since left-hander Ranger Suarez is on the mound for the Phillies on Saturday. Michael Chavis is starting at first base and batting cleanup.

JULY 30, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Sits against southpaw VanMeter isn't starting Friday's game against the Phillies.

Impact Most of VanMeter's recent starts have come against right-handed pitchers, and he'll get a day off with southpaw Bailey Falter on the mound for the Phillies on Friday. Michael Chavis is starting at first base and batting cleanup.

JULY 29, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Pirates continue to give Josh VanMeter opportunities as he grinds through struggles CHICAGO — It might feel like a long time ago, but there was a span when Josh VanMeter might have been turning a corner. It was the end of Ma...

JULY 26, 2022 • POST-GAZETTE.COM

Consistent role against righties VanMeter went 1-for-4 with a double and an RBI on Monday against the Cubs.

Impact VanMeter was one of the few sources of offense for Pittsburgh when he doubled home Tyler Heineman in the fifth inning. VanMeter has had a regular role against right-handed pitching -- starting at either first or second base -- since returning from the injured list on June 27. However, he's hitting just .136 with three RBI and three runs scored across 51 plate appearances in that span, so he could be at risk of losing playing time during the final few months of the season.

JULY 26, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Remains on bench VanMeter will sit Saturday against the Brewers.

Impact VanMeter finds himself on the bench for the second game in a row. His off day Friday against lefty Aaron Ashby came as no surprise, but the fact that he remains on the bench Saturday against righty Brandon Woodruff seemingly suggests he's dropping to a bench role. A decrease in playing time is seemingly deserved, as VanMeter is hitting just .197/.267/.320 through 44 games. Kevin Newman, who returned from a groin strain Friday, will make his second straight start at the keystone.

JULY 9, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

On bench against southpaw VanMeter isn't starting Friday's game against the Brewers.

Impact VanMeter is out of the lineup for the second time in the last three games since left-hander Aaron Ashby is on the mound for Milwaukee. Kevin Newman is starting at the keystone and batting seventh.

JULY 8, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Sitting against lefty in Game 1 VanMeter is not in the starting lineup for Game 1 of Thursday's doubleheader against the Reds.

Impact VanMeter will take a seat as the Pirates take on left-hander Mike Minor in Game 1. Michael Chavis will get the start at second base and bat third in the contest.

JULY 7, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Judge, Hicks hit grand slams as Yankees pound Pirates 16-0

Aaron Judge and Aaron Hicks hit grand slams as the New York Yankees drilled the Pittsburgh Pirates 16-0

JULY 7, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Could be top option at keystone VanMeter will start at second base and bat ninth Tuesday against the Yankees.

Impact Before he was on the bench for the final two games of the Pirates' weekend series with the Brewers, VanMeter had made all five of his starts since returning from the 10-day injured list June 27 at either first base or designated hitter. His path to regular playing time at either of those spots now appears blocked with Yoshi Tsutsugo (back) returning from the IL on Tuesday, but VanMeter could end up settling into the large side of a platoon at second base with the righty-hitting Diego Castillo. One of Castillo, Tucupita Marcano and Hoy Park had started at second base in each of the previous seven games, but the latter two players were optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis on Tuesday.

JULY 5, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Sits versus righty VanMeter is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Brewers.

Impact The lefty-hitting VanMeter took a seat against a southpaw starter (Aaron Ashby) in Saturday's 7-4 win, but he'll remain on the bench while the Pirates oppose a righty (Brandon Woodruff) in the series finale. Michael Chavis will pick up another start at first base at VanMeter's expense, but both players could soon be on the outs for playing time at the position with Yoshi Tsutsugo (back) expected to return from the injured list during the upcoming week.

JULY 3, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Drives in one VanMeter went 1-for-3 with a double and an RBI on Monday against the Nationals.

Impact VanMeter returned from a three-week absence caused by a finger injury. He immediately stepped into the starting lineup, batting seventh while playing first base. It would be a surprise to see VanMeter continue to get playing time over Michael Chavis -- who was out of the lineup Monday -- but he could cost both Hoy Park and Diego Castillo time at second base while Tucupita Marcano (illness) remains sidelined. Across 111 plate appearances this season, VanMeter has hit .218/.279/.366.

JUNE 28, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Comes off IL The Pirates reinstated VanMeter (finger) from the 10-day injured list Monday. He'll start at first base and bat seventh in the Pirates' series opener in Washington.

Impact VanMeter returns to the active roster after a completing a five-game rehab assignment last week at Triple-A Indianapolis, during which he went 2-for-18 with four walks, three runs and an RBI. The 27-year-old could reclaim the strong side of a platoon at second base now that he's recovered from a fractured left ring finger, though he's not a lock to stick around as a near-everyday player for long. Fellow left-handed hitter Tucupita Marcano (illness) is currently in the midst of a rehab assignment and could unseat VanMeter as the preferred option at the keystone once reinstated from the COVID-19-related IL.

JUNE 27, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Begins rehab assignment VanMeter (finger) began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Indianapolis on Tuesday, Justice delos Santos of MLB.com reports.

Impact VanMeter is ready for game action three weeks after fracturing his left ring finger. Prior to the injury, he'd hit a mediocre .214/.280/.357, and it's difficult to imagine he'll return to a regular role once healthy, especially with Oneil Cruz's arrival crowding the middle infield.

JUNE 21, 2022 • ROTOWIRE