The Yankees agreed to sign reliever Luis Ayala to a minor league deal, according to Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports (Twitter links). The right-hander a career ERA of 3.67 with 5.9 K/9 and 2.1 BB/9 in parts of six major league seasons.
Ayala last appeared in the majors in 2009, but he has been pitching recently. The 33-year-old closed for Mexico in the Caribbean Series, according to Morosi. Another Mexican right-hander, former Yankee Alfredo Aceves, signed with the Red Sox yesterday.
Ayala will presumably compete for a spot at the back of the Yankees' bullpen with the likes of Buddy Carlyle, Neal Cotts and Mark Prior. There doesn't appear to be much room for competition in the Yankees' restocked 'pen, but spots could open up because of injuries or ineffectiveness.
#28! Lock it up!
For their minor league affiliate team?!
If World Series were won on paper the Yankees would have a lot more then 27. The Phillies and Red Sox aren’t automatically penciled into the World Series.
Agreed, but Ayala was signed to a minor league deal. Hence the comment…
Glad to see him back pitching. Highly doubt he gets a shot at the bigs this year with the yanks, but it could get him in the right direction for him to get back to the majors soon with the right organization.
If he pitches well in the minors and yankees are looking for say a veteran utilityman he can be used in a deal then
Welcome to the bargain bin NYY, feel free to scrounge around
Is Prior even going to pitch this year?? I doubt it
Prior pitched in the Independent League last year. That info and $1.80 will get us a cup of coffee….
With Colon, Garcia, Prior and now Ayala to close, the Yankees’ AAA team is going to ROCK this year!
Obvious desperation move to counter the Red Sox signing Aceves.
Yeah there is no way we couldve signed Aceves. SMD.
SMD? What does that mean? Shaking my… I don’t wanna know…
haha. the sarcasm is lost.
Twinsfansincecivilwar
if the Yankees hope to trade for a decent SP in ST they will likely trade from their strength, bullpen arms. if they do they will need other arms, like Ayala, to step into the breack. good move, Cashman!
wow. another blast from the past…
The Yankees ARE definitely winning the World Series….in 2003.
I was JUST thinking that lol
Can he Pitch?
-B. Ca$h Man
Yes, he can pitch, sir. Yes he can.