CLEARWATER, Fla. — Make that 10 Yankees from the projected Opening Day roster playing in the World Baseball Classic.
Lefty Ryan Yarbrough was a late addition to Team USA on Sunday morning, joining the active roster as a substitute for Twins ace Joe Ryan, who is dealing with a back issue.
Yarbrough joins Aaron Judge, David Bednar and Paul Goldschmidt as the Yankees’ representation on Team USA, which will play exhibitions against the Giants on Tuesday and Rockies on Wednesday before beginning pool play on Friday against Brazil.
“Kind of times up with his next outing, when he’d pitch, so it makes some sense,” manager Aaron Boone said Sunday at BayCare Ballpark. “Obviously a good opportunity.”
Yarbrough, who re-signed with the Yankees as rotation depth but will likely be in the bullpen if the rest of their starters get through camp healthy, made his spring debut last Monday against the Pirates. He had been lined up to pitch again this weekend but was sick on Friday, so returned to camp on Saturday and only played catch. He will presumably pitch next in one of USA’s exhibitions this week.
With Yarbrough joining the fold, the Yankees now have four pitchers participating in the WBC this spring, along with relievers Bednar, Camilo Doval and Fernando Cruz.