The New York Yankees signed free-agent right-hander Yerry De Los Santos to a minor-league deal on Monday, according to his representatives. The deal includes an invitation to spring training. The 25-year-old Dominican uses a sinker-heavy approach and has a 54.5 ground-ball percentage over 48 major-league appearances with the Pittsburgh Pirates and a career ERA of 4.14. He pitched in 24 1/3 relief innings for Pittsburgh in 2023 and allowed 10 runs (nine earned) on 17 hits (one homer) while walking 13 and striking out 18 batters. De Los Santos will represent relief depth for the Yankees bullpen heading into the 2024 season.
The Pittsburgh Pirates reassigned catcher Tyler Heineman to Triple-A Indianapolis and optioned right-hander Yerry De Los Santos to Indianapolis on Tuesday. The team also released catcher Kevin Plawecki from his minor-league contract. Heineman, 31, will open the year in the minors as catching depth for the organization behind Austin Hedges and Jason Delay. He's hit just .214 with one home run and 12 RBI in 82 career games with the Pirates, Giants, Marlins and Blue Jays. De Los Santos, 25, had a 4.91 ERA (4.01 FIP), 1.29 WHIP, three saves and 26 strikeouts in 25 2/3 relief innings in his major-league debut for Pittsburgh in 2022. He should get another shot in the Bucs' bullpen at some point in 2023.
