The Yankees activated Abreu on Thursday, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.
Abreu was claimed off waivers from the Royals on Tuesday, and he'll join the Yankees' major-league bullpen ahead of their weekend series against Houston. The right-hander has posted a 3.46 ERA and 2.00 WHIP in 13 innings over 11 relief appearances with the Rangers and Royals this year. Clarke Schmidt was optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to open up a spot on the 26-man active roster for Abreu.