Sometimes, it’s not the loudest cracks of the bat that tell the story—it’s the silence between them. For young infielder Jorbit Vivas, that silence became deafening.
On a team known for its towering expectations, every swing, every inning, every stumble is magnified. And on Tuesday, the New York Yankees made it official: the roster reshuffle was on.
With a new series looming and postseason dreams crystalizing, the New York Yankees made several tough calls. They designated veteran pitcher Carlos Carrasco for assignment, again signaling the presumed end of his rollercoaster stint in pinstripes.
But the bigger moves came in the names added—and subtracted—from the active roster.
Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Yerry De Los Santos return to the mix
There’s always a touch of excitement when a sparkplug like Jazz Chisholm Jr. rejoins the lineup. Known for his electric energy and highlight-reel defense, Chisholm brings flair and pop to the Yankees’ infield.
Pitcher Yerry De Los Santos also makes his return, a steady presence that the bullpen could use in the wake of recent injury concerns.
Of course, MLB roster rules demand give and take. For every name added, one must be removed. In this case, two. One of them is particularly painful: Luke Weaver, a key bullpen arm, heads to the injured list with a hamstring strain.
He’s been a rock for the team this season, and losing him even for a short time changes the texture of late-inning matchups.
Jorbit Vivas sent down after struggling at the plate
The second move was more predictable, but no less emotional. Jorbit Vivas was optioned to Triple-A Scranton, following a rough stretch that eroded his early promise.
In 22 games and 53 plate appearances, he hit just .156 with a .255 on-base percentage and a .267 slugging. His 52 wRC+—a stat designed to measure overall offensive contribution—made it clear: Vivas was overmatched.
It wasn’t just the stats. His lone hit in the last six games told the rest of the story. Even his solid glove couldn’t compensate for the offensive vacuum, especially on a team chasing a title.
Still, Vivas isn’t without hope. He had previously torn up Triple-A pitching with a .319/.426/.436 line. That kind of eye and discipline doesn’t vanish overnight—it just didn’t travel with him to the big leagues.
The numbers behind the demotion and the logic of options
Fans might wonder why Vivas got the demotion over someone like Pablo Reyes. The answer is rooted in MLB roster mechanics. Reyes is out of minor league options, meaning the Yankees would risk losing him on waivers if they tried to send him down.
Vivas, at just 24 and still developing, had options left. That flexibility often determines fate as much as performance does.
Still, the decision had little to do with paperwork and everything to do with production. Despite a memorable solo home run on May 22 that helped secure a win against the Rangers, Vivas couldn’t generate the kind of consistent offense the Yankees need.
In a lineup where every at-bat counts, especially with the AL East in a tight race, the margin for error is razor-thin.
Like a rookie violinist in a symphony, the stage proved overwhelming
There’s a reason the jump from Triple-A to the majors is often likened to switching from chess to speed chess. Everything’s faster. Pitchers are smarter. Defenses are tighter.
Vivas found himself in a whirlwind, and though his potential flashed in spurts, the pressure often won out.
This isn’t the end of his story—far from it. Vivas is the kind of player who learns, adapts, and comes back stronger.
There’s every reason to believe he’ll rejoin the Yankees later this season with a fire lit beneath him. That home run against the Rangers? That wasn’t luck—it was a preview.
The Yankees have made their moves. Some were expected, others painful. But all were necessary.
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