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4h ago

Yankees Bring Back Paul Blackburn on One-Year, $2 Million Deal

The reported one-year agreement, pending a physical, supplies flexible depth during the club’s early-season rotation shortfall.

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NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 27: Ben Rice #22 and Paul Blackburn #58 of the New York Yankees celebrate after the ninth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Yankee Stadium on September 27, 2025 in the Bronx borough of New York City. The Yankees won 6-1. (Photo by Ishika Samant/Getty Images)
FILE - New York Yankees relief pitcher Paul Blackburn delivers during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles, Sept. 18, 2025, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough, File)
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Overview

  • Multiple outlets report Blackburn will earn $2 million guaranteed with up to $500,000 in innings-based bonuses at 80, 90, 100, 110 and 120 innings, and the team has not announced the deal.
  • The 32-year-old right-hander is expected to work primarily out of the bullpen but could start if needed, with the innings incentives and camp plans signaling rotation flexibility.
  • New York is bracing for a thin rotation to open 2026 as Gerrit Cole (Tommy John surgery) targets a May/June return and Carlos Rodón (elbow surgery) aims for late April/May.
  • Blackburn struggled overall in 2025 (roughly a 6.23 ERA) but posted a 1.50 ERA over his final 12 regular-season innings with the Yankees after joining on Aug. 21.
  • The move continues the Yankees’ low-cost depth approach, following returns of Ryan Yarbrough, Trent Grisham and Amed Rosario, after a season in which the bullpen ranked 23rd in MLB.