worth $14 million. Britton can opt-out of the contract after 2020 if the Yankees choose not to exercise the 2022 option. January 14 – DJ LeMahieu signs a two-year, $24 million contract with the Yankees. He is expected to be used at shortstop and third base as well as second base, his natural position. January 21 – The Yankees trade RHP Sonny Gray and LHP Reiver Sanmartin to the Cincinnati Reds for minor league 2B Shed Long and a competitive balance pick in the 2019 MLB Draft. Long was then traded to the Seattle Mariners for minor league OF Josh Stowers. January 24 – Adam Ottavino signs a three-year, $27 million contract with the Yankees. He is the first person in franchise history to wear the uniform number 0. February 15 – Luis Severino signs a four-year contract extension, avoiding salary arbitration. The deal includes a club option for the 2023 season. He is guaranteed $40 million and will make an additional $12.25 million if the option is exercised. February 25 – Aaron Hicks signs a seven-year, $70 million contract extension with a $12.5 million club option for 2026, a $1 million buyout and a $2 million signing bonus. This deal replaces the previous one-year, $6 million deal announced on January 11. Spring training The Yankees began their spring training on February 13, when pitchers and catchers reported. Their first spring training game was against the Boston Red Sox on February 23, in which they lost 5–8. They ended spring training with an exhibition game against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on March 25 in which they lost 3–5. Overall, they went 17–10–4, good for first place in the Grapefruit League. Transactions March 19 – Gio González signs a minor league deal with the Yankees. If the Yankees had added González to their active roster, the contract would've been worth $3 million for the season. Injuries March 1 – Aaron Hicks injures his back during a spring training game. He is expected to start the season on the injured list. March 15 – Luis Severino was diagnosed with rotator cuff inflammation. He is expected to miss all of April, allowing Masahiro Tanaka to start on Opening Day in his place. March 19 – Dellin Betances was diagnosed with right shoulder impingement after seeing a concerning dip in velocity all of spring training. He will start the year on the