The New York Yankees are expected to add right-hander Yerry De Los Santos to the roster, manager Aaron Boone told the Talkin’ Yanks podcast on Tuesday, April 14.
De Los Santos will take the spot of right-hander Jake Bird, who was sent down on Monday, April 13, following an 11-10 victory over the Los Angeles Angels. Bird was tagged for three earned runs, pushing his ERA to 7.71 for the year. The Yankees scored three runs in the bottom of the 9th inning to end a five-game losing streak.
Bird came to the club at the 2025 trade deadline in a swap with the Colorado Rockies. The 30-year-old allowed six earned runs across his final four big-league appearances before the demotion. Bird has two blown saves and a loss this year.
New York Yankees to Recall Yerry De Los Santos to Replace Jake Bird
Bird was called upon in the 6th inning with the Yankees leading, 7-4. Left-hander Tim Hill was removed after allowing a two-out single. Bird needed just one more out to finish the frame, but it would prove to be a difficult task. The righty ceded a single to Zach Neto. Future Hall of Famer Mike Trout then stepped to the plate and tied the game with one swing. Trout would later homer in the 8th inning to give the Angels a temporary lead.
De Los Santos made 25 appearances for the Yankees last season. He delivered a 3.28 ERA across 35.2 innings. The righty has pitched in parts of three MLB seasons since making his debut in 2022. De Los Santos has compiled a 3.78 ERA over 85.2 big-league innings.
The Yankees signed De Los Santos to a minor league deal in December 2023. He’d spent his entire professional career with the Pittsburgh Pirates up to that point. De Los Santos boasts a four-pitch mix. He utilized a sinker, four-seam fastball, changeup, and slider with the Yankees in 2025. De Los Santos averaged 95.5 mph with the sinker last season. The changeup was his best swing-and-miss pitch, posting a 36.1% whiff rate.
Yankees Bullpen Off to Solid Start
New York has had strong contributions from many relievers to open the season. The club’s bullpen ranks 5th in xFIP and 7th in SIERA. Hill and Fernando Cruz pace the squad with three holds apiece. Brent Headrick leads the unit in innings at 8.1 IP. Headrick has performed well despite the frequent usage, posting a 2.16 ERA across 10 appearances. Veterans Ryan Yarbrough and Paul Blackburn have also pitched well.
The main concern in the bullpen is closer David Bednar. The burly right-hander has five saves this season, but he’s dealt with diminished velocity and a lack of effectiveness. With Bird optioned, Bednar now has the second-worst ERA in the bullpen at 5.40. The former Pirate has been scored upon in four of his last five appearances. After sitting at 97.1 mph with his fastball last year, Bednar has averaged 95.5 mph on the pitch in 2026.
Camilo Doval would be the Bednar replacement if he falters, but the former San Francisco Giants closer has also struggled so far. Doval has an ugly 7.36 ERA through nine outings.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Yankees To Add New Reliever After Losing Streak Finally Ends appeared first on Heavy Sports.