Yankees Quietly Add Veteran Pitching Depth as Rotation Injuries Mount

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Kristie Ackert | Last updated May 13, 2025 8:32 PM ET

The New York Yankees have added a familiar name. The team signed veteran right-hander Anthony DeSclafani to a minor league contract Tuesday, according to the YES Network’s Conor Foley.

For DeSclafani, it marks a return to the mound after nearly two years lost to injury. He hasn’t pitched in a professional game since suffering a flexor strain in July 2023 with the San Francisco Giants. After multiple rehab setbacks and eventual flexor tendon surgery last March, his path back has been a long one.

The Yankees are taking a no-risk flier on a pitcher who once showed flashes of mid-rotation value with their rotation hit hard by injuries.

Gerrit Cole is out for the season due to Tommy John surgery, and Luis Gil is sidelined until at least late June. Marcus Stroman, and his 11.57 ERA, is on the injured list with mysterious knee “stuff”. Carlos Rodón looks like he’s finally turning into the pitcher the Yankees thought they signed in 2023, but it is still a small sample size. Will Warren has one win and a 5.65 ERA in his first seven starts, showing flashes of talent and evidence that he should still be in the minors. Clarke Schmidt has returned from injury, but has just one complete big league season under his belt.

DeSclafani posted a career-best 3.17 ERA over 31 starts with the Giants in 2021 but struggled to stay healthy after signing a three-year, $36 million deal that offseason.

Following that contract, his production tailed off, and he threw just 118 2/3 innings over the next two years with a 5.16 ERA. Despite his struggles, DeSclafani has maintained excellent control throughout his career, rarely issuing walks even during his toughest stretches.

The Yankees' signing adds another option to a thin group of experienced depth starters in Triple-A.

If DeSclafani proves healthy and can regain even a fraction of his pre-injury form, he could play a valuable role in the Yankees’ pitching plans later this summer. For now, it’s a low-cost bet on a veteran arm trying to revive his career.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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