TAMPA, Fla. — The Yankees made their first major league free agent move of the offseason Monday, bringing back left hander Ryan Yarbrough on a one year deal worth 2.5 million dollars plus performance incentives.
The contract, includes 250,000 dollars in performance bonuses. The agreement remains subject to a physical.
Yarbrough returns after a steady 2025 season in which he worked as a starter and long reliever. The 33 year old finished with a 3 and 1 record and a 4.36 ERA across 19 outings. He made eight starts and covered 64 innings. His ability to shift between roles helped the Yankees navigate a season filled with rotation injuries.
Immediate Yankees rotation need addressed
The move fills a major early season need for the Yankees. The team opens camp with only four healthy starters due to surgery setbacks for three key arms.
Gerrit Cole had Tommy John surgery and will miss an extended period. Carlos Rodon had a bone spur removed in October and is trending toward a return by the middle or end of April. Clarke Schmidt also had Tommy John surgery and will be out until the second half of 2026.
That leaves Max Fried as the lone proven veteran in the Opening Day rotation. Cam Schlittler, Luis Gil and Will Warren join him as the other healthy arms. All three will carry significant workloads until Cole, Rodon and Schmidt return.
Yarbrough enters as the fifth starter to begin the season. His place in the rotation could shift once Rodon is cleared. Even so, the Yankees believe his presence gives them stability at a time when they have little margin.
Proven track record in the Bronx
The Texas native first joined the Yankees just before the start of the 2025 season on a one year, 2 million dollar deal. His performance quickly justified that investment.
Yarbrough opened the year in the bullpen. Injuries soon opened a rotation spot and he responded with a strong run through May and June. He allowed only one or two runs in seven of his eight starts during that stretch. His only rough outing came in Boston when he gave up eight runs. Outside that day, he was one of the most reliable pitchers on the roster.
An oblique strain forced him to the injured list from June 22 through September 1. He struggled in his return. He allowed seven runs in 8.2 innings over three outings. Those results kept him off the postseason roster for both the Wild Card Series and the Division Series.
Despite the late season struggles, the Yankees value his overall consistency and his ability to pitch in multiple roles.
Versatility remains his calling card
General manager Brian Cashman highlighted the need for adaptable pitching options while discussing the Yankees offseason plans last week.
“We have pitching depth, but it’s going to be challenged early,” Cashman said. “We’ll be exploring how to protect ourselves so we’re not taking on water early because our rotation is compromised out of the gate.”
Yarbrough fits that need. He has started 76 of 215 career appearances over eight major league seasons. The Yankees expect to use him as both a starter and a long reliever. His soft contact profile makes him efficient and able to cover innings in different situations.
If he does not win the fifth starter job out of camp, he can operate as another left handed option behind Tim Hill in the bullpen. The Yankees will also evaluate Allan Winans and prospects Elmer Rodriguez Cruz and Carlos Lagrange as part of that competition.
Big-money additions unlikely
The Yankees have not ruled out adding a high priced starter before camp. However, team insiders note that such a signing appears unlikely right now.
According to insider Randy Miller, “The Yankees aren’t ruling out adding a big-money starter before spring training, but it’s unlikely. The Yankeees’ biggest offseason needs are center field, bullpen, bench and right-handed-hitting catcher.”
Those needs shape how the front office distributes its remaining payroll space. Center field became a priority after Cody Bellinger opted out. The bullpen remains thin behind Hill and the returning relievers. The bench needs more flexibility. A right handed hitting catcher would help balance the offense.
The Yankees must address all of those areas. Committing significant money to another starter would reduce their ability to make upgrades in those spots.
Managing through uncertainty
The Yankees enter 2026 with an unusual challenge at the top of their rotation. Cole, Rodon and Schmidt are all working back from surgery. The staff will change several times as each pitcher hits recovery milestones.
Cole and Rodon could return during the first stretch of the season if everything goes well. Timelines for pitching injuries often shift, which means the club must build enough depth to withstand setbacks. Schmidt will not be available until after the All Star break.
That makes Yarbrough even more important. His ability to handle innings and switch between roles gives manager Aaron Boone flexibility during the most fragile part of the season. He can start, follow an opener or work long relief as needed.
The Yankees will open camp with questions about how long their rotation can hold until reinforcements return. Yarbrough gives them one reliable answer as they prepare for a long season.
The signing does not block younger pitchers. It simply gives the Yankees an experienced arm they trust. For a team dealing with constant rotation interruptions, his return brings needed stability at a manageable cost.
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