Yankees Bolster Rotation: Ryan Yarbrough Returns to the Bronx
The New York Yankees have reached an agreement for the re-signing of the versatile left-handed pitcher, Ryan Yarbrough, through a one-year contract. The news, which has generated expectations among fans, confirms the team’s strategy to strengthen both its rotation and bullpen. The agreement is subject to the approval of a physical examination, a common procedure in this type of negotiation. Yarbrough returns to the Yankees after signing a Major League contract with the team at the end of spring training last March. During the season, the pitcher recorded an ERA of 4.36 in 64 innings, alternating between the rotation and the bullpen. He participated in eight starts and eleven relief appearances, although he was also affected by an oblique injury that kept him out of action for more than two months. Yarbrough’s experience, who has eight years of experience in the Major Leagues, provides the Yankees with valuable support for a rotation that will begin the season with some important absences. Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodón, and Clarke Schmidt will not be available at the start of the season. Cole is recovering from Tommy John surgery and is expected to return in mid-May at the earliest. Rodón, for his part, will miss at least the first few weeks of the season due to surgery on his left elbow. Schmidt, also recovering from Tommy John surgery, will not be available until the second half of the season.Given the current situation, Max Fried, Cam Schlittler, Luis Gil, and Will Warren are expected to be part of the Yankees’ starting rotation. The fifth spot could be filled by Yarbrough. Should the Yankees decide to further bolster the rotation during the offseason, or if they give another pitcher from their minor league system a chance, Yarbrough could assume the role of long reliever in the bullpen, acting as the second lefty alongside Tim Hill.“We hope that health accompanies us in the rotation from the beginning, as well as in February, March and April, but we cannot take it for granted,” commented Brian Cashman, Yankees general manager, last week. “Of course, we will explore how to protect ourselves so as not to have problems at the beginning, since our rotation is committed from the start. We are eager to get those guys back, especially Cole and Rodón, but yes, it is an area we must focus on.”
Brian Cashman
