Yankees Promote Yerry De los Santos After Demoting Jake Bird

The Yankees emerged victorious in a wild 11-10 slugfest against the Los Angeles Angels on Monday night, but the chaotic pitching performance prompted immediate changes in the bullpen. Following the marathon game, the team made the decision to demote right-handed pitcher Jake Bird to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, recognizing the need for relief reinforcements ahead of their next matchup.

Bird, who joined the Yankees from the Colorado Rockies before the 2025 Trade Deadline, has struggled to find his footing. Despite hopes that his ERA would not reflect his potential, Bird has failed to consistently deliver on the mound. After being quickly demoted last year following a series of disappointing outings, he made the Opening Day roster this season, but 2026 has not been kind to him either. His early performances, including a disastrous outing against the Marlins where he allowed three runs without recording an out, have overshadowed a few solid games earlier in his career.

In light of Bird’s struggles, the Yankees have turned to Yerry De los Santos, another candidate from spring training, to bolster their bullpen. De los Santos previously pitched for the Pittsburgh Pirates and has spent the last few seasons as a reliable depth option for the Yankees, primarily at Triple-A. Last season, he made 25 appearances for the Yankees, logging 35.2 innings with a commendable 3.38 ERA and 28 strikeouts.

With Cade Winquest returning to the Cardinals following the activation of Luis Gil, the Yankees had a vacancy in their bullpen that De los Santos was well-prepared to fill. In his early outings for the RailRiders, he demonstrated his readiness, allowing just two runs over 9.1 innings while striking out 13, showcasing a 1.93 ERA and a 0.964 WHIP. The Yankees opted for De los Santos over other candidates like Angel Chivilli and Kervin Castro, favoring his proven track record as a safer choice amid their bullpen concerns.

As the Yankees navigate the early part of the season, De los Santos represents a much-needed option for manager Aaron Boone. While the hope is that he can contribute in less stressful situations, he stands ready to step in when called upon, bringing a blend of experience and reliability to a bullpen that has faced its share of challenges.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.