The New York Yankees have secured the services of left-handed pitcher Ryan Yarbrough, signing him to a one-year contract. This development comes as the organization seeks to enhance both its rotation and bullpen depth. Sources confirmed the agreement, which is contingent on Yarbrough passing a physical examination.
Yarbrough’s Background and Performance
This marks Yarbrough’s return to the Yankees after he signed a major-league deal with the team at the end of spring training in March. During the previous season, he recorded a 4.36 ERA over 64 innings, participating in eight games as a starter and 11 in relief. His season was impacted by an oblique strain that kept him sidelined for over two months.
Addressing Injuries in the Rotation
The Yankees are currently working to ensure that their pitching lineup remains competitive amid injury concerns. Key pitchers such as Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodón, and Clarke Schmidt are set to miss the beginning of the season due to respective surgeries. Cole is not expected to return until mid-May as he recovers from Tommy John surgery. Rodón is also on the mend following elbow surgery and might be out for the initial weeks of the season.
- Gerrit Cole: Out until mid-May after Tommy John surgery.
- Carlos Rodón: Expected to miss early-season games after elbow surgery.
- Clarke Schmidt: Clearance not expected until the season’s second half.
General manager Brian Cashman has expressed the need for depth in the rotation, highlighting the uncertainty surrounding the return of these key players. “You can’t count on that,” he remarked, indicating the team’s proactive approach to avoid complications early in the season.
Projected Rotation and Future Prospects
As it stands, the starting rotation will likely include Max Fried, Cam Schlittler, Luis Gil, and Will Warren. Yarbrough might fill the fifth spot, depending on the Yankees’ offseason moves. If additional pitchers are acquired or a farm system option is selected, Yarbrough could transition into a long-relief role, complementing fellow left-hander Tim Hill in the bullpen.
Fansided was the first to report the agreement between Ryan Yarbrough and the Yankees, which holds significant implications for the team’s strategy as they head into the upcoming season.
