Lefty reliever Matt Gage claimed off waivers by Yankees
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Matt Gage of the Houston Astros delivers a pitch during the eighth inning against the Chicago Cubs at Minute Maid Park on May 16, 2023. Credit: Getty Images
The Yankees added another arm to their 2024 bullpen mix Monday, claiming lefthander Matt Gage off waivers from the Astros.
The Yankees will have to make a move to their current 40-man roster to create a spot for Gage, who turns 31 on Feb. 11.
Though the Yankees, who entered the winter with bullpen depth as one of their needs, have kept in contact with some of the top free-agent arms on the reliever market — righties Ryan Brasier and Phil Maton are two examples — at the moment they seem content to go the low-risk, high-reward route to address those needs.
Gage certainly fits that category.
The reliever, taken by the Giants in the 10th round of the 2014 draft, did not make his big-league debut until June 6, 2022, while a member of the Blue Jays. Gage, who uses mostly a fastball-cutter repertoire and generally relies on soft contact, appeared in major-league games with the Astros last season, posting a 2.70 ERA. Gage had a 1.38 ERA in 11 games with Toronto in 2022, the only other season in which he pitched in the big leagues.
The Gage claim does not preclude the Yankees from continuing to engage with one of their own free agents in whom they still have an interest, lefty reliever Wandy Peralta.