The Yankees have signed 24-year old lefty reliever/starter Matthew Bashore to a minor league deal. Bashore pitched in 12 games (3 starts) in Rookie-ball for the Twins last year and he was 0-0 with a 3.24 ERA and a 1.26 WHIP. He has now pitched in 13 games (3 starts) in his first two years in the minors and he is 0-0 with a 2.89 ERA and a 1.29 WHIP. Bashore missed all of the 2010 season to Tommy John Surgery, so he’s still fighting his way back to get his career going.

The Yankees have claimed 26-year old righty reliever Cody Eppley off waivers from the Rangers. Eppley pitched in 10 games (0 starts) for the Rangers last year and he was 1-1 with a 8.00 ERA and a 1.78 WHIP. He also pitched in 43 games (0 starts) in AAA-ball last year and he was 4-2 with 10 saves, a 3.90 ERA and a 1.54 WHIP. Eppley could help the Yankees at some point in 2012, but he’s going to have to earn it as he is going to start out in AAA.

The Yankees have acquired 30-year old righty swinging catcher Chris Stewart from the San Francisco Giants to 26-year old righty reliever George Kontos. Stewart played in 67 games for the Giants last year and he was 33 of 162 (.204 avg, .592 OPS) with 20 runs scored, 3 homers and 10 RBIs. He has now played in 93 games in his first five years in the majors and he is 42 of 210 (.200 avg, .563 OPS) with 24 runs scored, 3 homers and 13 RBIs. Stewart is an excellent defensive catcher and he will back up Russell Martin when the 2012 season begins. George Kontos pitched in 7 games (0 starts) for the Yankees last year and he was 0-0 with a 3.00 ERA and a 1.17 WHIP. He also pitched in 40 games (4 starts) in AAA-ball last year and he was 4-4 with 2 saves, a 2.62 ERA and a 1.10 WHIP. This could wind up being a good deal for both teams.

The Yankees have designated 28-year old righty swinging outfielder Justin Maxwell for assignment. Maxwell played in 48 games in AAA-ball for the Yankees last year and he was 46 of 177 (.260 avg, .945 OPS) with 36 runs scored, 16 homers, 35 RBIs and 11 stolen bases. He last played in the majors back in 2010 for the Washington Nationals. Maxwell has now played in 122 games in his first three years in the majors and he is 44 of 219 (.201 avg, .698 OPS) with 34 runs scored, 9 homers, 26 RBIs and 11 stolen bases. I have a feeling that the Yankees will find a trade partner for Maxwell.

UPDATE: (4/9/2012) - The Yankees have lost Justin Maxwell to the Houston Astros on waivers.

The Yankees have signed 39-year old righty reliever/starter Ramon Ortiz to a minor league deal. Ortiz pitched in 22 games (2 starts) for the Cubs last year and he was 1-2 with a 4.86 ERA and a 1.26 WHIP. He has now pitched in 296 games (214 starts) in his first 11 years in the majors and he is 86-84 with a 4.93 ERA and a 1.42 WHIP. Ortiz will have to earn his way to the Bronx by pitching well in AAA.