Yankees sign former MLB All-Star pitcher ahead of Red Sox series

The New York Yankees have strengthened their pitching options ahead of the upcoming series against the Boston Red Sox.

On Thursday afternoon the Yankees announced a deal to sign right-handed pitcher Paul Blackburn to an MLB contract, with plans to use him in a long relief role. To make space for the incoming Blackburn, Allan Winans heads to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

“There’s obviously talent everywhere you look, and they’re in a really good spot for the postseason,” Blackburn said when the move was confirmed. “I mean, it’s the New York Yankees. That’s cool.”

Blackburn spent seven years with the Oakland Athletics and was names to the 2022 MLS All-Star Game after recording a 4.28 ERA across 21 starts. Off the back of those performances Blackburn signed a one-year, $1.9 million deal with the Athletics before injury curbed his momentum.

He signed another one-year deal the following year but was traded to the New York Mets in July 2024, with pitcher Kane Morris going in the other direction. He only made seven appearances with the Mets in a year with the team but he brings real experience and has a dangerous sweeper and a spike curveball, two deliveries that will add to the weapons at the Yankees’ disposal.

“Our ‘pen right now is not filled with a lot of guys that give us a lot of length,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. “Obviously he has a track record of success in the big leagues. He’s a guy that’s built up and gives us some coverage if we get in a situation where we need real length.”

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