Kratz doesn't intend to play during the 2021 season, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.
Kratz spent most of the 2020 season on the Yankees' 40-man roster and hit .321 with four RBI over 28 at-bats. However, he announced Friday that he won't play in 2021. "My next season will not be as a player, that's for sure," Kratz said. "I am deciding not to play." It appears as though the 40-year-old intends to retire, as he finishes his career with a .611 OPS, 31 home runs and 105 RBI over 10 seasons with 10 different teams.
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Yankees' Erik Kratz: Won't play in ALDS
Rotowire
Kratz will not be on the roster for the ALDS against the Rays.
The Yankees carried three catchers during the AL WIld Card Round but unsurprisingly didn't need all three, with Kratz failing to make an appearance. He won't be there as bench depth for the next series, with right-handed pitcher Michael King joining the roster in his place.
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Yankees' Erik Kratz: Tallies two RBI in start
Rotowire
Kratz started behind the plate in Game 2 of Friday's doubleheader against the Orioles and went 2-for-3 with a pair of RBI.
With Gary Sanchez catching the earlier contest, Kratz was called upon to make his first start since Aug. 30 in the nightcap. The veteran responded by accounting for half of the team's hits in the loss and driving in a pair of runs on a fourth-inning single. Kratz has done well when given an opportunity to play this season, slashing .348/.375/.435 with two doubles and three RBI.
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Yankees' Erik Kratz: Impact of Higashioka return unclear
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Kratz could be designated for assignment by the Yankees when No. 2 backstop Kyle Higashioka returns from the injured list, Brendan Kuty of NJ Advance Media reports.
The Yankees are in a difficult position with Kratz, who was summoned from the team's alternate training site and added to the 40-man roster Aug. 8. With the team already facing a roster crunch, it will likely be inclined to designate Kratz for assignment when Higashioka returns unless the Yanks choose to carry three catchers on the big-league squad. Kratz has performed well while filling in for Higashioka, collecting six hits in 20 at-bats including a pair of doubles.
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Yankees' Erik Kratz: Joins 40-man roster
Rotowire
Kratz's contract was selected by the Yankees on Saturday.
After being chosen for the taxi squad for the team's trip to Tampa, Kratz will join the active roster after Kyle Higashioka (oblique) was placed on the 10-day injured list in a corresponding move. It's unclear how much time Higashioka will miss as a result of his injury, but Kratz should serve as the backup catcher until he returns.
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Yankees' Erik Kratz: Chosen for taxi squad
Rotowire
Kratz is traveling with the Yankees this weekend as part of their five-man taxi squad, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.
Kratz began the season ranked fourth on the team's catching depth chart, but he'll move up a spot with Chris Iannetta's placement on the restricted list Friday. That will enable Kratz to travel with the Yankees on their weekend road trip in Tampa, though he won't be eligible to play unless he is first moved to the team's active roster.
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Yankees' Erik Kratz: Headed to alternate camp
Rotowire
Kratz was reassigned to the Yankees' alternate training site Tuesday.
Although Kratz was able to work at major-league camp this summer, the team's depth at catcher will force him to settle for a spot at alternate camp ahead of the regular season. The 40-year-old appeared in 21 major-league games last season, slashing .102/.170/.204 with one home run and three RBI.
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Yankees' Erik Kratz: Makes 60-man player pool
Rotowire
Kratz has been named to the Yankees' 60-man roster.
The veteran catcher will take part in summer camp with the Yankees, but he ranks, at best, fourth on the team's catching depth chart. That will likely prevent the 40-year-old from logging much playing time this season, though that could change given the uncertainty of the upcoming campaign.
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Yankees' Erik Kratz: Remains in New York
Rotowire
Kratz re-signed with the Yankees on a minor-league deal Friday, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports.
The veteran didn't make his MLB debut until after his 30th birthday but has since gone on to receive big-league at-bats in 10 straight seasons. He doesn't offer much at the plate, hitting .194/.229/.312 over the last six seasons. He'll likely serve as little more than organizational depth this season.
Kratz signed a minor-league contract with the Yankees on Saturday, Erik Boland of Newsday reports.
Kratz appeared in four games for the Yankees back in 2017. The 38-year-old is nearing the end of his big-league career, if he hasn't reached it already. He's hit .102/.170/.204 in 21 games for the Giants and Rays this season, good for a wRC+ of 0. He'll serve as organizational depth in New York.
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Erik Kratz: Parts ways with Tampa Bay
Rotowire
Kratz cleared waivers and was released by the Rays on Thursday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Kratz was designated for assignment last week and will make his way to free agency after going unclaimed on waivers. The 38-year-old is slashing .102/.170/.204 with 53 plate appearances between the Giants and Rays this season.
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Rays' Erik Kratz: Designated for assignment
Rotowire
Kratz was designated for assignment by the Rays on Friday.
Kratz is no longer needed with Mike Zunino (quadriceps) back from the injured list. The 38-year-old has gotten into 21 games with the Giants and Rays this season, but his .102/.170/.204 slash line may not be enough for him to find work with a third team.
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Rays' Erik Kratz: Dealt to Tampa Bay
Rotowire
Kratz has been traded from the Giants to the Rays for a player to be named later, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Kratz was designated for assignment by San Francisco on Monday, and he's now headed for Tampa Bay, who desperately needs veteran help behind the dish. Travis d'Arnaud was shipped to the Rays from the Dodgers less than one week ago, though Kratz figures to eat into his playing time until Mike Zunino (quadriceps) and Michael Perez (oblique) are healthy enough to return from the injured list. Kratz has struggled mightily at the dish this season, slashing .125/.222/.281 with a homer and three RBI over 15 games.
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Giants' Erik Kratz: Designated for assignment
Rotowire
Kratz was designated for assignment by the Giants on Monday.
Kratz was poor in limited action for the Giants this season, going 4-for-32 at the plate. It's possible this is the end of the road for the 38-year-old, as his .208/.256/.360 career slash line is unlikely to give him many suitors on the waiver wire.
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Giants' Erik Kratz: Returns from injured list
Rotowire
Kratz (hamstring) was activated off the 10-day injured list Saturday.
Kratz ended up spending the 10-day minimum on the IL after suffering a left hamstring strain at the start of May. Kratz and Stephen Vogt figure to split catching duties while Buster Posey remains on the 7-day injured list with a concussion.
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Giants' Erik Kratz: Out with hamstring strain
Rotowire
Kratz was placed on the 10-day injured list with a left hamstring strain Friday.
The move was made retroactive to May 1, so Kratz could be eligible to return as soon as May 11. He now faces competition for the Giants' backup catcher job, however, as Stephen Vogt's contract was purchased Wednesday. Tyler Beede was called up in a corresponding move.
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Giants' Erik Kratz: Raps second double
Rotowire
Kratz started and went 1-for-3 with a double and an RBI in Thursday's 4-2 loss to the Nationals.
Kratz made his first start since Apr. 12, but he generally sees two starts per week with the occasional pinch-hit appearance. The 38-year-old's limited playing time and slow start (.136/.239/.227) make him tough to roster in even deeper two-catcher leagues.
