Sun Sep 15 17:16:23 UTC 2024: ## Yankees Release Left-Handed Reliever Victor Gonzalez

**New York, NY** – The New York Yankees have released left-handed pitcher Victor Gonzalez, the club announced Friday. Gonzalez, who had been pitching for the Yankees’ Triple-A affiliate since being outrighted to the minors in June, will now become a free agent.

Gonzalez, 28, made his MLB debut with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2020, posting a stellar 1.33 ERA in 20 1/3 innings. His strong performance, including a key role in the Dodgers’ World Series run, earned him a spot in the team’s bullpen for the 2021 season.

Despite a solid 2021 season, Gonzalez struggled with injuries in 2022 and saw his role diminish with the Dodgers. He was traded to the Yankees in December 2023 in exchange for prospects Jorbit Vivas and Trey Sweeney.

Gonzalez made the Yankees’ Opening Day roster this season but struggled to replicate his past success. While he held a respectable 3.86 ERA in 27 games, his peripherals were alarming, showing a concerning decrease in strikeouts and an increase in walks.

“Those peripheral numbers clearly concerned the Yankees enough to designate him for assignment,” reported MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch. Gonzalez was subsequently passed through waivers and assigned to Triple-A. However, his performance in the minors was underwhelming, leading to his release.

Despite his recent struggles, Gonzalez’s past success and left-handed pitching prowess suggest he could still find a home in a major league bullpen. He will now look to sign with a team for the 2025 season, hoping to revive his career.

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