Yankees clear roster spot for Elmer Rodriguez debut with Randal Grichuk designated for assignment

Veteran outfielder Randal Grichuk was designated for assignment by the New York Yankees, clearing a roster spot for right-hander Elmer Rodriguez to make his major league debut. Rodriguez, one of the Yankees’ top prospects, was set to start Wednesday, when the AL-best New York team looked to complete a three-game series sweep at Texas. The 34-year-old Grichuk, with his seventh team over 13 big league seasons, was hitting .194 with no homers and two RBIs in 16 games. He agreed to a minor league contract with the Yankees in late February that included an invitation to spring training, and he broke camp with the team. Switch-hitting outfielder Jasson Dominguez was called up by the Yankees on Monday, following Giancarlo Stanton’s third consecutive game absence due to a strained right calf, which placed him on the 10-day injured list. The 22-year-old Rodriguez, who pitched for Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic last month, took Luis Gil’s spot in the rotation after Gil was sent to Triple-A following a rough start in a 7-4 loss to the Astros on Sunday.