Tim Mayza is getting his pinstripes.
The longtime Toronto Blue Jays reliever was signed to an MLB contract by the New York Yankees and selected to the active roster on Friday.
Mayza, 32, signed a minor-league deal with the Yankees on July 10 after being designated for assignment and released by the Blue Jays.
The seven-year MLB veteran posted an 8.03 ERA over 24.2 innings for Toronto in 2024, a significant decline from the 1.52 mark he finished with in 2023.
Mayza had made nine appearances with the Yankees’ triple-A affiliate, pitching to a 2.16 ERA with eight strikeouts and three walks over 8.1 innings.
New York enters play Friday tied for the top spot in the AL East with a 72-50 record. It is set to start a series against the Detroit Tigers on the road.
The Yankees bullpen ranks 10th in baseball with a 3.76 ERA. However, that number has jumped to 4.80 over the last month.
The New York Yankees have made a significant move by selecting former Toronto Blue Jays left-handed pitcher Tim Mayza for their major-league roster. Mayza, who was recently released by the Blue Jays after undergoing Tommy John surgery, will now have the opportunity to continue his career with one of the most storied franchises in baseball.
Mayza, 29, was originally drafted by the Blue Jays in the 12th round of the 2013 MLB Draft. He made his major-league debut in 2017 and quickly became a reliable reliever for the team. In 2019, Mayza posted a 4.91 ERA with 37 strikeouts in 51.1 innings pitched.
Unfortunately, Mayza’s promising career was derailed in September 2019 when he suffered a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his left elbow, requiring Tommy John surgery. After missing the entire 2020 season due to the injury, the Blue Jays released Mayza in November 2020.
Despite the setback, the Yankees saw potential in Mayza and decided to take a chance on him by adding him to their major-league roster. The left-hander will now have the opportunity to prove himself once again and contribute to the Yankees’ bullpen.
Mayza’s addition to the Yankees’ roster comes at a time when the team is looking to bolster its pitching staff. With several key pitchers dealing with injuries, including ace Gerrit Cole, Mayza could provide much-needed depth and versatility out of the bullpen.
It remains to be seen how Mayza will perform with his new team, but one thing is for certain – he will be given a chance to showcase his skills and make an impact with the Yankees. Fans will be eagerly watching to see how Mayza fares in pinstripes and whether he can help the team in their quest for a playoff berth.