The New York Yankees continue their search for hidden gems among overlooked pitchers, and this time, they’ve brought back a familiar name. On January 23, the Yankees claimed right-handed pitcher Roansy Contreras off waivers from the Baltimore Orioles.
Contreras was originally signed by the Yankees as an international free agent in 2016 before being traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates in January 2021 as part of a package for Jameson Taillon. Now, he’s back in New York, joining the group of former prospects the Yankees often invite to spring training to see if pitching coach Matt Blake can help revitalize their careers.
On the same day, the Yankees also claimed Allan Winans off waivers to bolster their pitching depth. At just 25 years old, Contreras has had an up-and-down career since leaving the Yankees. Over four seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates (2021-24) and Los Angeles Angels (2024), he posted a 10-16 record with three saves and a 4.72 ERA in 90 appearances, including 33 starts.
Last season, he went 2-4 with two saves and a 4.35 ERA in 49 total appearances, including three starts, split between the Pirates and Angels. After being released by the Angels at season’s end, Contreras was briefly picked up by the Texas Rangers in October, the Cincinnati Reds in December, and finally the Orioles before the Yankees claimed him off waivers.
Despite his rocky big-league journey, the Yankees are familiar with Contreras’ potential, having seen flashes of his talent in the minors. In his final season with the Yankees organization, he posted a solid 3.33 ERA over 132 1/3 innings with Class-A Charleston.
The Yankees have had success in recent years turning other teams’ castoff pitchers into valuable bullpen pieces, with pitching coach Matt Blake playing a key role in transforming players like Clay Holmes and Luke Weaver from afterthoughts to key contributors.
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