Yerry De Los Santos of the Pittsburgh Pirates pitches against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the eighth inning at Dodger Stadium on July 06, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)
By Matthew Tallarini
World Baseball Network
Right-handed pitcher Yerry De Los Santos has agreed to terms on a minor league contract with the New York Yankees with an invitation to Spring Training, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reported on Tuesday.
If Santos makes the 2024 opening day roster out of camp, he will be paid $900,000. The deal includes an assignment clause on June 1 for the 26-man roster and a release clause for July 1.
Santos, 25, was born in Samana, Dominican Republic, and has been with the Pittsburgh Pirates since he signed as an international free agent to a minor league contract on July 2, 2014, prior to his first professional season in 2015 in the Dominican Summer League complex level with the organization.
Santos has played in two Major League Baseball seasons with the Pirates from 2022-23 and made his Major League debut on May 25, 2022 against the Colorado Rockies.
In his two seasons with the Pirates, Santos is 1-4 in 48 appearances out of the bullpen with a 4.14 ERA, throwing 50 innings and recording three saves, allowing 39 hits, 23 earned runs, four home runs, 24 walks, 44 strikeouts and a 1.260 WHIP.
Santos has also played three seasons in Triple-A Indianapolis from 2021-23, and has posted a 3-5 record with a 3.86 ERA in 39 appearances, throwing 46.2 innings and recording five saves, allowing 52 hits, 20 earned runs, five home runs, 17 walks, 54 strikeouts, and a 1.479 WHIP.
Santos has played eight professional seasons between all levels of the minor leagues, the winter leagues, and with the Pirates, and has posted a 14-18 record with a 3.23 ERA in 176 games, throwing 259 innings with 23 saves, allowing 241 hits, 93 earned runs, 15 home runs, 88 walks, 255 strikeouts and a 1.270 WHIP.
Santos elected free agency on November 6 prior to being signed to the Yankees and he is represented by Epitome Sports Management.
According to Baseball Savant, Santos throws his sinker at 95 mph with a 12.3% whiff rate, and the pitch averages 22.1 inches of vertical movement.
The Yankees will open the 2024 regular season on the road against the Houston Astros on March 28.
