If Chris Iannetta had just accepted a position on the Yankees’ taxi squad, he might have been back in the majors relatively quickly. But Iannetta said he was transparent with club officials even before he agreed to a minor-league deal on Jan. 9. He would retire if the team asked him to go to the minors.
So, when the Yankees designated Iannetta for assignment on Aug. 1 to clear a roster spot for the return of right-hander Masahiro Tanaka, they essentially made the veteran catcher’s decision for him. And Iannetta, 37, said his feelings did not change even after the Yankees on Saturday promoted an older backup catcher, Eric Kratz, 40, to replace Kyle Higashioka, who went on the injured list with a strained right oblique.
Iannetta had beaten out Kratz for the third catching position on the team’s initial 30-man roster, but the Yankees did not ask him to reconsider his decision and rejoin them after Higashioka’s injury. Club officials believed…
