FanSided’s Robert Murray first reported that the New York Yankees signed pitcher Ryan Yarbrough to a one-year, $2 million contract with an opportunity to earn an additional $500,000 in incentives. Yarbrough was in the Tampa Bay Rays camp but opted out after he was not included in the team’s Major League Baseball roster.
Instead, he will join the Rays’ American League East rivals and will be a part of the Yankees’ Opening Day roster. The reigning AL champions badly need help in pitching due to injuries.
Gerrit Cole underwent season-ending Tommy John surgery, while Clarke Schmidt, Ian Hamilton, and Tyler Matzek are all scheduled to return next month. Luis Gil could return by June after dealing with a right lat strain, while Chase Hampton also underwent season-ending Tommy John surgery. Jonathan Loaisiga could return as early as late April due to a UCL surgery, while JT Brubaker and Scott Effross’ return remains indefinite.
Yarbrough started his MLB career with the Rays in 2018. Since then, he has pitched for the Kansas City Royals, the Los Angeles Dodgers, and the Toronto Blue Jays. Through seven MLB seasons, he had a 53-40 record with a 4.21 ERA, a 1.184 WHIP, and 599 strikeouts in 768 innings.
-Lance Fernandez