The New York Yankees are gearing up for a busy offseason, with potential moves involving players like Cody Bellinger and trent Grisham, alongside meaningful free agency additions. One of their initial steps this winter involves securing a veteran pitcher.
According too reports, the Yankees are nearing a one-year agreement with a seasoned pitcher who has previously played for the Toronto Blue jays and Los Angeles Dodgers. This veteran is a left-handed reliever capable of starting games, a role he fulfilled for the Yankees in 2025. Ryan Yarbrough, a 33-year-old reliever, is set to return to New York for another season.
Yankees Bring Back Ryan Yarbrough
Sources indicate that free agent pitcher Ryan Yarbrough and the New York Yankees are close to finalizing a one-year major league deal. This marks a significant early move for the Yankees this offseason. With strengthening their pitching staff a top priority, Yarbrough’s return provides a familiar and versatile arm for the team.
In the 2025 season, Yarbrough posted a 4.36 ERA over 19 appearances, starting eight of those games. As he approaches his 34th birthday at the start of the 2026 season, he offers adaptability, perhaps serving in the Yankees’ bullpen or as a spot starter in the back of the rotation if needed.
Across 64 innings pitched, Yarbrough recorded 55 strikeouts against 19 walks, allowing 13 home runs. His ERA+ of 94 was the lowest as his 2022 performance.
Despite this, Yarbrough remains a valuable asset to the Yankees’ pitching depth, offering the ability to cover significant innings as both a starter and a reliever. This signing is unlikely to be the Yankees’ only pitching acquisition, as the team continues to explore options for their 2026 bullpen and rotation.
Yarbrough is a familiar face returning to the Bronx for a second consecutive season. He spent the 2024 season split between the Dodgers and Blue Jays, a year prior to those two teams potentially meeting in the World Series. Yarbrough is set to begin his ninth MLB season in 2026, returning to the Yankees.
