More bullpen depth!
The Yankees have signed right-handed reliever Chris Leroux to a minor league contract, according to Alex Seixeiro of Sportsnet 590. Leroux's deal also includes an invite to big league spring training, where he could compete for a major league bullpen role.
Leroux, 30 in April, has some experience at the Major League level. He pitched in two games for the Pittsburgh Pirates last season, posting a 6.75 ERA and 9.30 FIP in four innings pitched, before he went off to Japan. He made five starts for the Yakult Swallows, pitching to a 9.00 ERA in 22 innings. In his last full season in America, he pitched at Pittsburgh's Triple-A affiliate, the Indianapolis Indians, in 2012, where he pitched to a 3.11 ERA and 3.70 FIP in 21 total appearances (14 in relief).
Originally drafted by the Marlins in 2005, the 6' 6" Leroux pitched for the Fish and the Pirates over his five-year major league career. Through 2013, he posted a 5.56 ERA and a 3.32 FIP in 63 relief outings and 69.2 innings pitched.
Because the Yankees figure to have a number of open spots in their bullpen, Leroux will get some sort of look by New York to make the team. If he does not crack the big league bullpen, he could be sent down to Triple-A Scranton as insurance, or sent packing to find a different home.
