Nick Swisher Opts Out of His Minor League Deal With the Yankees

(photo credit: pinstripealley.com)

On Saturday, veteran Nick Swisher opted out of his minor-league deal with the New York Yankees. In a statement on his Facebook page, as well as a series of tweets, the former Yankees outfielder has decided not to finish the rest of the 2016 season in order to spend more time with his family after his wife gave birth to their second daughter earlier this week. Swisher has yet to say if he plans to return next season.

Swisher agreed to a minor-league deal with the Yankees back in April after he was released by the Atlanta Braves following spring training. Swisher had been in the final year of a four-year, $52 million contract that he signed with the Cleveland Indians prior to the Braves releasing him.

With the Yankees losing first baseman, Greg Bird, for the entire season with an injury, and Mark Teixeira once again battling injuries, Swisher would play first base, as well as the designated hitter for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre this season. His line at Triple-A was .255/.297/.377 with seven home runs and 25 RBI in 55 games. Despite injuries to Mark Teixeira, Dustin Ackley and Chris Parmelee -- the Yankees decided against calling up Swisher.

Swisher, who is the son of former major-league catcher, Steve Swisher, made his major-league debut with the Oakland Athletics in 2004. During his thirteen year career, Swisher played for the Athletics, Chicago White Sox, New York Yankees, Cleveland Indians and the Atlanta Braves.

Swisher won a World Series ring with the Yankees in 2009, and then the following year he made his first All-Star game as a member of the Yankees. Swisher finishes his career with a .249 batting average, 1,338 hits, 245 home runs, 803 RBI's in 1,527 games.