The New York Yankees have officially announced the signing of left-handed pitcher Ryan Yarbrough to a Major League contract for the 2025 season.
At 33 years old, Yarbrough showcased an impressive performance in 2024, splitting his season between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays. He compiled a 5-2 record with one save and a stellar 3.19 ERA across 44 relief appearances, logging 98.2 innings—the most by any Major League reliever that season. Yarbrough proved his durability and versatility, delivering 26 relief outings of at least 2.0 innings and 13 appearances of 3.0 innings or more.
2024 Season Breakdown
- Los Angeles Dodgers: Yarbrough began the 2024 season with the Dodgers, posting a 4-2 record, one save, and a 3.74 ERA (67.1IP, 52H, 29R/28ER, 25BB, 39K, 9HR) in 32 appearances out of the bullpen.
- Toronto Blue Jays: On July 30, 2024, he was traded to the Blue Jays in exchange for outfielder Kevin Kiermaier and cash considerations. With Toronto, Yarbrough excelled, recording a 1-0 record and a remarkable 2.01 ERA (31.1IP, 18H, 7ER, 7BB, 26K, 2HR) over 12 outings.
In February 2025, Yarbrough signed a minor league contract with Toronto but opted out on March 23, paving the way for his move to the Yankees.
Career Overview
Spanning seven Major League seasons from 2018 to 2024, Yarbrough has amassed a 53-40 record with one complete game, three saves, and a 4.21 ERA (768.0IP, 732H, 382R/359ER, 177BB, 599K, 99HR) across 196 career games, including 68 starts. His journey has taken him through stints with the Tampa Bay Rays (2018-22), Kansas City Royals (2023), Dodgers (2023-24), and Blue Jays (2024).
A native of Austin, Texas, Yarbrough was originally drafted by the Seattle Mariners in the fourth round of the 2014 MLB Draft out of Old Dominion University. In January 2017, he was traded to the Tampa Bay Rays alongside outfielder Mallex Smith and infielder Carlos Vargas in exchange for Drew Smyly. Yarbrough later signed with the Royals in December 2022 and was traded to the Dodgers in August 2023 in a deal involving infielders Derlin Figueroa and Devin Mann.
Yankees Roster Move
To accommodate Yarbrough on the 40-man roster, the Yankees placed right-handed pitcher Luis Gil on the 60-day injured list due to a right lat strain.
This addition strengthens the Yankees’ bullpen depth and provides a reliable, innings-eating option for the 2025 campaign.
