MLB

Pair of Cuban defectors set to work out with Yankees

TAMPA — The Yankees are holding workouts for two Cuban defectors at their minor league complex Friday morning.

Shortstop Aledmyas Diaz and right-handed pitcher Odrisamer Despaigne will work in front of Yankees officials.

Diaz, 23, and Despaigne, who will turn 27 in April, are eligible to sign with major league clubs immediately, and there is a belief Diaz wants to have a deal in place by the weekend.

With Derek Jeter in the final season of a Hall of Fame career and the Yankees having no long-term solution at shortstop within the system, Diaz has been scouted for a while by the club. Some scouts believe he is better suited for second base, where the Yankees don’t have in-house candidates either and are hoping oft-injured Brian Roberts can get them through this season.

Diaz, who defected to Mexico, hit .315 with 12 homers in 270 at-bats in 2012, his last season in Cuba. In addition to the Yankees, the Blue Jays, Giants, Dodgers, Braves and Cardinals have been linked to Diaz. He worked out for the Cardinals Wednesday.