Ryan Yarbrough signs one-year deal with Yankees
Former Blue Jays pitcher Ryan Yarbrough signed with the Yankees on Monday. Credit: AP/Charles Krupa
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — The Yankees on Monday signed soft-tossing lefthander Ryan Yarbrough to a one-year, $2 million contract and will carry him on the roster for Thursday’s Opening Day.
Yarbrough, whose fastball averaged 86.2 mph last season, joined the team in Tampa on Monday and will pitch an inning in the Yankees’ final exhibition game on Tuesday in Miami.
“At this point, ready to rock and roll,” Yarbrough told reporters in the Yankees’ clubhouse in Tampa, according to ESPN.com.
Yarbrough, 33, opted out of his contract with Toronto on Sunday. In 2024, he went a combined 5-2 with one save and a 3.19 ERA in 44 relief appearances with the Los Angeles Dodgers and Blue Jays (he was traded to Toronto on July 30). His 98 2⁄3 innings were the most among big-league relievers.
“Just gives us some more depth,” manager Aaron Boone said. “A real length option.”
Yarbrough’s fastball ranked third-slowest among qualified pitchers last season.
“I think it’s just a weird look, something they’re not used to seeing,” Yarbrough said, according to ESPN.com. “Especially from my slot and from the left side. And then I think the biggest thing has just been keeping guys off balance, multiple pitches, being able to throw them at any time. Just keeping guys guessing up there. Attacking guys and staying ahead.”
Said Boone: “[He’s] a guy that’s had a lot of success against us over his career.”
Against the Yankees, Yarbrough is 6-3 with a 2.04 ERA in 15 games (two starts), mostly with Tampa Bay. He pitched for the Rays from 2018-22. His career record is 53-40 with a 4.21 ERA in 196 games (68 starts).
To make room on the 40-man roster, the Yankees placed righthander Luis Gil on the 60-day injured list with a right lat strain. The 2024 AL Rookie of the Year is expected to miss at least the first three months of the season.
Anthony Rieber covers baseball, as well as the NFL, NBA and NHL. He has worked at Newsday since Aug. 31, 1998, and has been in his current position since July 5, 2004.
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