Veteran left-hander Ryan Yarbrough and the Toronto Blue Jays have reportedly come to terms on a minor league deal with an invite to spring training. The signing, first reported by Robert Murray of FanSided, keeps a versatile left-handed arm on the Toronto pitching staff.
Free-agent pitcher Ryan Yarbrough and the Toronto Blue Jays are in agreement on a minor-league contract, sources say. The deal includes an invite to spring training.
— Robert Murray (@ByRobertMurray) February 20, 2025
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
Report: Blue Jays Re-Sign Free Agent Reliever Ryan Yarbrough
Drafted by the Seattle Mariners in 2014, Yarbrough spent five seasons with the Tampa Bay Rays, finishing fifth in American League Rookie of the Year voting in 2018. After spending the early portion of his career in Tampa, Yarbrough signed with the Kansas City Royals for 2023 before they dealt him to the Los Angeles Dodgers at the deadline. He missed two months that season after being struck in the head by a line drive off the bat of then-Oakland’s Ryan Noda. Across 25 appearances (nine starts), he posted a 4.52 ERA with 67 strikeouts over 89 ⅔ innings. Yarbrough remained with the Dodgers to start 2024, making 32 appearances with a 3.72 ERA before his trade to the Blue Jays. He posted a 2.01 ERA for Toronto and finished the season with a 3.19 ERA over 44 appearances.
Capable of pitching as a reliever or a bulk-inning arm, Yarbrough’s career has been primarily in a hybrid pitching role. The Rays mainly used him as the “bulk guy” when they shifted to an opener strategy during his rookie campaign. Yarbrough has also operated as a successful swingman capable of both long-relief and spot starts, having drawn 68 career starts.
Going into his age-33 season, Yarbrough owns a 4.21 ERA, with a 53-40 record, three saves, and 599 strikeouts over 768 innings. Sporting a five-pitch arsenal, the veteran southpaw has consistently ranked in the top five percent in average exit velocity and hard-hit percentage. He owned a pitching run value of 17 in 2024, putting him in the top nine percent according to Statcast. Yarbrough will look to build on his success in Toronto by having another successful season in their bullpen.
Photo Credit: © John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
The post Report: Blue Jays Sign Free Agent Left-Hander Ryan Yarbrough to Minor League Deal appeared first on Last Word On Baseball.