Mon Mar 24 14:10:00 UTC 2025: ## Yankees Sign Veteran Lefty Ryan Yarbrough to Bolster Injury-Riddled Rotation

**New York, NY –** The New York Yankees have signed veteran left-handed pitcher Ryan Yarbrough to a Major League contract, the team announced this morning. The deal, reported by multiple sources, guarantees Yarbrough $2 million with an additional $500,000 available in incentives. Due to the Yankees’ luxury tax situation, the total cost to the team will be $4.2 million.

Yarbrough, 33, most recently pitched for the Toronto Blue Jays after a trade with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He opted out of a minor league deal with Toronto over the weekend before agreeing to terms with the Yankees. In 31 1/3 innings with the Blue Jays in 2024, Yarbrough posted a stellar 2.01 ERA, showcasing excellent command and a knack for inducing weak contact despite a relatively low strikeout rate. His career ERA is 4.21 over 768 innings.

The signing comes at a crucial time for the Yankees, who have been significantly impacted by injuries to their pitching staff this spring. Gerrit Cole is already on the 60-day injured list, and Luis Gil will miss several months due to a lat strain. Giancarlo Stanton’s return from elbow injuries remains uncertain. Yarbrough, who has experience as both a starter and multi-inning reliever, is expected to provide valuable depth in the bullpen. His addition likely pushes fellow southpaw Brent Headrick to Triple-A.

While Yarbrough’s fastball velocity is not high (averaging 86.5 mph), his unusual delivery and ability to limit hard contact (29.4% hard contact rate) make him an effective pitcher. Yankees general manager Brian Cashman lauded the move as a smart acquisition, filling a crucial need for a left-handed reliever with a solid track record. The Yankees will need to open a 40-man roster spot to finalize the deal.

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