The New York Yankees lost key pitchers to injuries during spring training. It was supposed to deal a big blow to the Yankees’ rotation and further threaten their 2025 season. Instead, they’re on top leading the American League East Division, thanks to a 33-year-old left-hander the Toronto Blue Jays released before Opening Day.
Yankees general manager Brian Cashman, who was forced to act quickly to acquire the pitcher as a free agent, admitted he got “lucky” with the signing’s success.
New York Yankees Rotation Injury Crisis Before 2025 MLB Season
Despite the Yankees’ World Series loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2024, the defending AL champions entered the 2025 MLB season with high expectations.
However, they soon faced significant challenges to their pitching staff. Gerrit Cole was ruled out for the year with an elbow issue, Luis Gil suffered a right lat strain, and Jake Cousins, who was supposed to be a key reliever, was lost for the season due to a forearm strain.
The Yankees’ pitching staff was running thin. Enter free agent pitcher Ryan Yarbrough into the picture.
Why Did Ryan Yarbrough Choose Yankees Over Blue Jays?
The Blue Jays acquired Yarbrough through a trade with the Los Angeles Dodgers on July 31, 2024. He pitched well out of the bullpen in Toronto, posting a 2.01 ERA over 31 1/3 innings of work as a reliever.
The Blue Jays re-signed him to a minor-league deal on Feb. 21. In late March, Yarbrough triggered an opt-out clause. That would have seen him become a free agent if he wasn’t added to the major-league roster on Opening Day.
The Blue Jays were forced to pick between the lefty walking away or promoting him to their 40-man roster. They wanted Yarbrough to stay, but hoped he would sign an advance-consent clause, which would allow them to release him after 45 days and void most of his $2 million guarantee.
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Disappointed by the Blue Jays’ offer after having an impressive season, Yarbrough chose not to sign the contract. However, when the Yankees reached out, he was happy to sign the same clause as he needed to prove himself at the new organization.
“I had been there the last couple of months, showed them everything I bring to the table, especially the versatility,” Yarbrough said, according to The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal. “Everyone from the team and staff seemed to love me. So, I feel like there wasn’t necessarily a reason to (accept an advance-consent clause), just from what I’ve already shown them. Whereas with a new organization, I have no problem with getting them to know me, seeing what I bring to a team.”
Ryan Yarbrough’s Signing Rescued Yankees
The Yankees knew Yarbrough well, from the time he used to play for their AL East divisional rivals Tampa Bay Rays. In over 57 1/3 career innings against the Yankees, he limited them to a 2.04 ERA.
When the Yankees were facing an injury crisis, Cashman moved quickly to sign Yarbrough as a free agent on March 24.
“In fairness to them, this is one of those where you run into something, and you get a lot more than you expected,” Cashman said. “The proof is in the pudding. I did a major-league deal and demanded a 45-day consent.”
Ryan Freaking Yarbrough pic.twitter.com/9v5rOHvgOw
– Talkin’ Yanks (@TalkinYanks) June 2, 2025
Initially seen as a long reliever, Yarbrough was promoted to the rotation led by another new signing, Max Fried, as the Yankees’ pitching injuries mounted. Yarbrough was efficient in his first five outings, posting a 2.08 ERA. He gave New York a reliable starter but also helped ease the bullpen’s burden while waiting for Cole to come back.
“At times, you’ve got to be good. At times, you’ve got to be lucky,” Cashman added. “This would fall more into that lucky category. He’s just been exceptional.”