The New York Yankees have signed left-hander Tim Mayza to a minor league deal, sources tell The Athletic’s Kaite Woo and Brendan Kuty. The Toronto Blue Jays designated the reliever for assignment on June 29. Mayza, 32, cleared waivers and the team released him on July 5. He struggled to replicate his stellar performance of last season for Toronto, earning him high-leverage outings throughout the 2023 season. In his final five outings with the Blue Jays, Mazya’s ERA increased to nearly 25 over a tough four-inning stretch. For the season, Mayza has an 8.03 ERA over 24 2/3 innings.
Tim Mayza Signs Minor League Deal with Yankees
Mayza spent 11 years with Toronto, who drafted him in the 2013 MLB Draft. He made his MLB debut at the Rogers Centre in 2017, making 352 appearances over the next eight years. It’s more than any other pitcher on the team in that span; Mayza also ranks eighth all-time in appearances by a Blue Jays pitcher. He quickly became a key player in Toronto’s bullpen in 2021, and over the next three seasons, he posted a 2.67 ERA in 155 innings. His best season came last year, pitching to a 1.52 ERA in 69 games.
In 24 2/3 innings this season, Mayza gave up 24 runs (22 earned) on 36 hits and 12 walks. He managed to strike out 16 of the 121 batters he faced. His 8.03 ERA makes him the only reliever in the league with an ERA over 8.00.
“It comes down to performance, Blue Jays manager John Schneider said after Mayza was designated for assignment. “It’s tough for Timmy. He’s been here for such a long time, been such a big part of our bullpen and our team. It’s not difficult why the Blue Jays decided to release Mayza, even though it would have been unimaginable at the start of spring training.
“(It’s) been a rough year for him, so, hopefully, a chance of scenery is good for him, as much as we hate seeing him go.”
The Yankees bullpen has gone through multiple injuries to their staff. Ian Hamilton, Jonathan Loáisiga and Nick Burdi have all landed on the injured list in recent weeks. New York will likely have Mayza start at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. The Yankees bullpen ERA is ninth (3.64), but their left-handers have posted a 4.16 ERA.
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