Overview
The New York Yankees have finalized a significant addition to their bullpen, solidifying their roster for Opening Day with a major league contract for left-hander Ryan Yarbrough. The 33-year-old reliever, now signed to a $2.5M deal, brings valuable experience from stints with both the Los Angeles Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays, enhancing the team’s depth on the left side.
Performance Highlights
During the 2024 season, Yarbrough combined his efforts between two clubs, recording a 3.19 ERA and a 1.034 WHIP over 98.2 innings in 44 appearances. While his time with the Dodgers was marked by steady performance, a midseason roster change led to his trade to the Blue Jays in exchange for an outfielder. With Toronto, he excelled in the latter half of the campaign, delivering a 2.01 ERA and an impressive 0.798 WHIP over 31.1 innings. Notable advanced metrics include allowing a .614 OPS against and an average exit velocity of 84.8 mph, underscoring his effectiveness on the mound.
Roster Impact
Yarbrough’s entrance adds a critical left-handed option to the Yankees bullpen, which already features a mix of promising arms. His presence creates a robust tandem with fellow lefty Tim Hill, providing the team with flexibility and balance as they approach the season’s start. On the right side, the bullpen will rely on a rotation that includes Devin Williams, Luke Weaver, Yerry De Los Santos, and Fernando Cruz, reinforcing the overall strength of the pitching staff heading into Opening Day.
