Yankees Sign Reliever Tony Zych to Minor-League Deal
By Jerry Trotta
Leave it to the New York Yankees to make the most out of the talent-bereft market for free agent relievers.
On Wednesday, the club announced that they signed right-hander Tony Zych to a minor-league contract. That deal includes an invitation to Spring Training.
The Yankees today announced they have signed RHP Tony Zych to a minor league contract with an invitation to Major League spring training. Zych will wear #62.
— Yankees PR Dept. (@YankeesPR) February 12, 2020
Zych hasn't pitched in the MLB since 2017, where he compiled a 6-3 record, 2.66 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, and 35 strikeouts in 40.2 innings for the Mariners.
The 29-year-old has spent his entire big league career (which spans three years) with Seattle, but has seen his career limited thanks to lingering shoulder and elbow injuries across the last two seasons.
The Yankees obviously wouldn't have taken a chance on Zych if they didn't feel his injury woes were behind him, and the Spring Training invite suggests they feel he has a puncher's chance at carving out a role in their bullpen.
#Yankees signed RHP Tony Zych to a minor league contract w/ST invite. Zych, 29, had thoracic outlet surgery in 2018; hasn’t pitched professionally since 2017. MOST IMPORTANTLY: Per @EliasSports Zych is alphabetically last among players ever to have appeared in an MLB game!
— Marly Rivera (@MarlyRiveraESPN) February 12, 2020
Whether that happens straight away or at some point down the road remains to be seen. Still, Zych has been presented the chance to revive his career and he's likely thrilled to finally have that opportunity with the most famous brand in the game.