What Happened to Paul Sterling DeJong?
Paul DeJong is an American professional baseball infielder who has played for multiple MLB teams since his debut in 2017, earning an All-Star selection in 2019. After stints with several clubs in 2023, 2024, and 2025, he signed a minor league deal with the New York Yankees in January 2026 and is currently playing for their Triple-A affiliate, the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, with an ultimatum to be promoted to the major league roster by the end of April 2026 or opt out of his contract.
Quick Answer
Paul DeJong is currently a professional baseball infielder in the New York Yankees organization, playing for their Triple-A affiliate, the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, as of April 27, 2026. He signed a minor league contract with the Yankees in January 2026 after playing for the Washington Nationals in 2025, where his season was impacted by a fractured nose. DeJong has informed the Yankees that he intends to opt out of his minor league deal at the end of April 2026 if he is not promoted to the major league roster, despite a strong performance in Triple-A.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline14 events
Drafted by St. Louis Cardinals
Paul DeJong was selected by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 4th round of the MLB draft out of Illinois State University.
MLB Debut with St. Louis Cardinals
DeJong made his Major League debut for the Cardinals, hitting a home run in his first career at-bat against the Colorado Rockies.
Signs Long-Term Extension with Cardinals
DeJong signed a six-year, $26 million contract extension with the St. Louis Cardinals, including club options for 2024 and 2025.
Named MLB All-Star
DeJong earned his first career MLB All-Star selection, hitting 30 home runs and leading NL shortstops in several defensive categories.
Traded to Toronto Blue Jays
The St. Louis Cardinals traded Paul DeJong and cash considerations to the Toronto Blue Jays for pitcher Matt Svanson.
Signed by San Francisco Giants
After being designated for assignment and released by the Blue Jays, DeJong signed with the San Francisco Giants.
Signed by Chicago White Sox
DeJong signed a one-year contract with the Chicago White Sox for the 2024 season.
Traded to Kansas City Royals
The Chicago White Sox traded DeJong to the Kansas City Royals in exchange for pitcher Jarold Rosado. He finished 2024 with 24 home runs across both teams.
Signed by Washington Nationals
DeJong signed a one-year Major League contract with the Washington Nationals for the 2025 season.
Suffers Fractured Nose
DeJong broke his nose and fractured his orbital bone after being hit by a 92.7 mph fastball, requiring surgery and missing significant time.
Reinstated from Injured List
After a rehab stint, DeJong was reinstated from the injured list by the Washington Nationals.
Agrees to Minor League Deal with New York Yankees
DeJong signed a minor league contract with the New York Yankees, including an invitation to Major League Spring Training.
Chooses to Remain with Yankees Organization
Despite not making the Opening Day roster, DeJong decided not to opt out of his minor league deal and began the season at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
Issues Ultimatum to Yankees for MLB Promotion
DeJong informed the New York Yankees that he will opt out of his minor league contract by the end of April if he is not promoted to the major league roster, having performed well for the Triple-A RailRiders.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Paul Sterling DeJong, born August 2, 1993, began his professional baseball career after being drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the fourth round of the 2015 MLB draft. He made his Major League Baseball debut with the Cardinals on May 28, 2017, famously hitting a home run in his first at-bat. DeJong quickly established himself as a prominent shortstop, culminating in an All-Star selection in 2019, a season where he hit 30 home runs and led National League shortstops in fielding percentage, assists, putouts, and double plays.
His tenure with the Cardinals lasted until 2023, though his performance saw some fluctuations. In 2023, he was traded from the Cardinals to the Toronto Blue Jays, then subsequently to the San Francisco Giants, reflecting a period of transition in his career. The 2024 season saw DeJong play for two different American League teams: the Chicago White Sox and the Kansas City Royals. Across 139 games, he hit 24 home runs and recorded 56 RBIs, demonstrating his continued power at the plate.
In 2025, DeJong signed a one-year major league contract with the Washington Nationals. His season was significantly interrupted on April 15, 2025, when he suffered a fractured nose and orbital bone after being hit by a pitch, requiring surgery and sidelining him until July 2. He played 57 games for the Nationals, batting .228 with six home runs and 23 RBIs. After the 2025 season, DeJong elected free agency.
As of January 2026, DeJong agreed to a minor league contract with the New York Yankees, which included an invitation to Major League Spring Training. Despite a solid spring, he did not make the Yankees' Opening Day roster but chose to remain with the organization, starting the 2026 season with the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders. His performance in Triple-A has been notable, with reports on April 27, 2026, indicating he has a .900 OPS and six home runs through 22 games. However, DeJong has issued an ultimatum to the Yankees, stating he will opt out of his minor league contract by the end of April 2026 if he is not promoted to the major league roster, as the team faces a roster crunch with the impending return of shortstop Anthony Volpe.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Paul Sterling DeJong made different choices?