TAMPA – On the day of their first full workout, the Yankees set their 40-man roster, making the signings of Brett Gardner and Justin Wilson official, while moving Luis Severino to the 60-day injured list and designating outfielder Greg Allen for assignment.
Severino is rehabbing from last year’s Tommy John surgery and is expected back by midseason. He’s scheduled to begin throwing from 120 feet Tuesday.
The lefty Wilson joins the bullpen after spending the previous two seasons with the Mets. Wilson is the third southpaw in the pen, with Zack Britton and Aroldis Chapman, while the Yankees also have Chad Green, Darren O’Day, Luis Cessa and Jonathan Loaisiga from the right side.
Gardner is set to compete for time in the outfield.
Both Aaron Boone and general manager Brian Cashman have stressed that they expect Clint Frazier to be the everyday left fielder, but Gardner should get plenty of playing time, since his left-handed bat gives balance to a right-handed heavy lineup and Aaron Hicks and Aaron Judge have had injury issues in the past.
Gardner’s future in The Bronx seemed uncertain during the offseason, with the presence of Mike Tauchman, as well as the acquisition of Allen from the Padres for LHP James Reeves, and the two sides only agreed to a deal last week.
