While not the pitching move most New York Yankees fans are hoping for, a new hurler will be in pinstripes. The Yankees have signed right-handed relief pitcher Matt Bowman to a two-year minor league deal according to Bobby Nightengale of the Cincinnati Enquirer.
Former #Reds pitcher Matt Bowman, who had Tommy John surgery in September, signed a 2-year minor-league contract with the Yankees. He’ll make $900k if he’s in the big leagues in 2021 or 2022.
— Bobby Nightengale (@nightengalejr) December 15, 2020
If Bowman makes the major league squad in the next two years, he will earn $900,ooo. However, Bowman underwent Tommy John surgery in September of this year. The odds of him having an impact on the 2021 season are very slim. The more likely hope is that he comes back towards the end of the 2021 season and is healthy enough to be a bullpen option for the Yankees in 2022. Bowman owns a career 7-13 record with a 4.02 ERA.
Career
Matt Bowman is a former 2012 thirteenth round draft pick of the New York Mets. The 29-year old right-handed pitcher made his major league debut with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2016. From 2016-2017, Bowman appeared in 134 games for the Cardinals throwing 126 1/3 innings with a 3.70 ERA.
Unfortunately for the Cardinals, Bowman suffered a rash of injuries in the 2018 campaign. Due to a series of blister issues, he was limited to only 23 innings pitched with a 6.26 ERA. After being released by the Cardinals, Bowman was claimed by the Cincinnati Reds prior to the 2019 season. Despite the troubles of 2018, Bowman pitched well in 2019 appearing in 27 games, throwing 32 innings and posting a 3.66 ERA. However, he wouldn’t appear in another game for the Reds after the 2019 season.
Injuries
2020 is a lost season for Bowman. After agreeing to a one-year, $865,000 deal to return to the Reds in January of 2020, Bowman struggled in Spring Training and was low on the Reds’ pitching depth chart. Due to elbow soreness, he missed the start of summer camp and didn’t begin throwing until July of 2020. Unfortunately, Bowman would be placed on the injured list on July 30th and his stint with the Reds came to an end as he was outrighted to the minors on October 15th.
Outlook
This is a depth move for the Yankees. They won’t expect much, if anything, from Bowman this upcoming season. However, should he return healthy, he could become a solid arm out of the bullpen in the 2022 season. He owns a career 56.6% ground ball rate to 24.9% fly ball rate which should play well in Yankee stadium.
Main Photo: Embed from Getty Images
