Yankees News: JT Brubaker Traded to NY from Pirates amid Gerrit Cole Injury

zach bacharContributor IMarch 29, 2024

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The New York Yankees announced on Friday that the team acquired right-handed pitcher JT Brubaker from the Pittsburgh Pirates.

New York Yankees @YankeesThe New York Yankees today announced that they have acquired right-handed pitcher JT Brubaker and international signing bonus money from the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for a player to be named later.

The Yankees also received international signing bonus money, while sending out a player to be named later in return.

Brubaker started in 28 games during the 2022 season, although he missed his entire 2023 campaign due to Tommy John surgery. He’s currently on the 60-day injured list as he continues to recover from the surgery.

The Yankees also moved ace Gerrit Cole to the 60-day injured list on Thursday due to elbow inflammation.

On Friday, Cole told Jon Heyman of the New York Post that a target date of June 1 is a good estimate for his return timetable.

If he’s able to make his debut in the beginning of June, he’ll likely come back quicker than his new teammate. According to Alex Stumpf of MLB.com, Brubaker is targeting the All-Star break for his return (h/t MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch). The break is set to begin on July 15.

If Cole is already back by the time he’s able to return, Brubaker may be utilized as a reliever despite the 61 career starts under his belt. The 30-year-old struggled throughout his first three years in the majors, owning a record of 9-28 with a 4.99 ERA.

His most recent season in 2022 wasn’t much better, as he posted a 4.69 ERA while recording a career-worst 1.465 WHIP. However, Brubaker did record 147 strikeouts in 144 innings of work.

He’s currently set to earn $2.275 million in 2024 after reaching an agreement with the Pirates on Jan. 11 to avoid arbitration.

While Brubaker may not alleviate the Yankees’ need for a starting pitcher and his effectiveness in 2024 is unknown after failing to appear in a game since 2022, he could still provide some bullpen help down the stretch of the season as New York attempts to secure an American League East crown.