Alex Verdugo is no longer on the New York Yankees, but they are still making sure to have another former Los Angeles Dodger on their roster for next season.
The Yankees announced on Monday that they have signed lefty reliever Ryan Yarbrough. Jorge Castillo of ESPN reports that Yarbrough’s deal is for one year and $2 million guaranteed (plus another $250,000 in bonuses).
Yarbrough, 33, pitched the first six seasons of his career with the Tampa Bay Rays, including for the team’s run to the World Series in 2020. He then left to sign with the Kansas City Royals as a free agent in 2022.
In 2023, Yarbrough was traded to the Dodgers, going 8-4 with a 4.16 ERA and even picking up a handful of saves during his two seasons there. Yarbrough then finished out last season with the Toronto Blue Jays after being traded there by the Dodgers as part of the Kevin Kiermaier deal.
The Yankees suddenly have a major need for pitching with Gerrit Cole now lost for the season due to Tommy John surgery and Luis Gil possibly out through May with a high-grade lat strain. As a result, they have even been turning to some very unlikely places in an effort to find more arms.
Yarbrough is more of a true reliever these days. But he does have 68 career MLB starts on his resume and could function for the Yankees as an opener or as a multi-inning guy in any bullpen games that they may need (in addition to his more traditional relief role).
