The New York Yankees acquired right-handed pitcher JT Brubaker and international bonus pool money in a trade with the Pittsburgh Pirates for a player to be named later, the team announced Friday.
Brubaker is currently working his way back from Tommy John surgery, which he underwent in April 2023. A sixth-round pick with the Pirates 2015 MLB Draft, Brubaker has a 4.99 ERA in 63 games (61 starts). He made his debut with the Pirates in 2020.
The 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.
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) March 29, 2024
Because Brubaker is currently on the 60-day injured list as he rehabs from Tommy John surgery, no corresponding roster move is needed by the Yankees.
The 30-year-old righty features a five-pitch mix, relying on a four-seam fastball, curveball, slider, sinker and changeup. He predominantly throws sinkers and sliders, which account for 72.9% of his pitches thrown at the Major League level, according to Baseball Savant.
Brubaker wound up needing surgery on his elbow the season following a career-high 144 innings pitched during the 2022 campaign. His rates on ground balls (43.8%), whiffs (27.3%) and chases (30.6%) are all above league average.
It isn’t clear what the Yankees have planned for Brubaker upon his return from Tommy John rehab, but there’s a chance it comes near the All-Star break.
