The New York Yankees will get one of their veteran pitchers back earlier than expected after left-hander Ryan Yarbrough left Team USA before the World Baseball Classic quarterfinals.
According to recent reports by Jon Heyman from The New York Post, Team USA has added another veteran Yankees reliever, Tim Hill, to the roster for the knockout round, replacing Yarbrough as the Americans prepare to play Canada in the quarterfinals. Yarbrough’s brief stint with the national team has come to an end, and he will return to Tampa to join the Yankees for spring training.
While the timing may appear unexpected, the decision was reportedly planned from the start. According to YES Network’s Jack Curry, Yarbrough plans to participate only in pool play before returning to camp to prepare for the 2026 MLB season.
Yankees Prioritize Regular-Season Preparation
For the Yankees, the timing of Yarbrough’s return could be critical as the team finalizes its pitching plans before Opening Day.
Yarbrough initially joined Team USA as a late replacement for Minnesota Twins right-hander Joe Ryan, who withdrew shortly before the tournament due to lower back inflammation. Team USA brought in the Yankees lefty primarily to fill innings during pool play, allowing manager Mark DeRosa to carefully manage his bullpen and starting rotation.
The 34-year-old played in one game during the tournament, pitching 2.1 innings in the United States’ unexpected loss to Italy. Yarbrough’s short WBC stint ended with a 7.71 ERA after allowing two earned runs on two hits, including a home run.
Although the performance was not particularly impressive, the outcome was likely of little significance to either Yarbrough or the Yankees. His main goal was simply to bridge innings in pool play before returning to Florida.
With the World Baseball Classic now in its elimination rounds, Team USA decided to replace him with Hill, a left-handed reliever with a different skill set who could be more useful in a high-leverage bullpen role during short playoff-style games.
Rotation Questions Remain for New York.
Yarbrough’s early return also comes at a critical time for the Yankees’ pitching staff. As Opening Day approaches, the club is still working through several rotation questions.
Injuries to key starters Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodón have forced the Yankees to reconsider their depth chart, opening up opportunities for several pitchers to earn early-season roles. Max Fried is expected to lead the rotation, while younger pitchers like Luis Gil, Will Warren, and Cam Schlittler are still in the running for starting jobs.
This uncertainty could provide Yarbrough with a valuable opportunity to carve out a role.
Signed to a one-year, $2.5 million contract this offseason, the veteran lefty brings versatility that few pitchers on the roster do. Throughout his eight-year MLB career, he has worked as both a starter and a multi-inning reliever, frequently serving as a “bulk” pitcher capable of bridging games.
Last season, he made eight starts and appeared in 19 games, recording a 4.36 ERA.
Because of this flexibility, the Yankees could use Yarbrough in a variety of ways depending on the final roster composition.
The WBC Run Continues Without Him.
While Yarbrough returns to Tampa, Team USA will continue to pursue another World Baseball Classic title without him.
Despite a surprise loss to Italy, the Americans advanced from pool play and will now face Canada in the Houston quarterfinals. Aaron Judge, the Yankees captain, remains a key figure on the roster, along with other MLB stars, as Team USA attempts to advance further in the tournament.
For Yarbrough, however, the focus has shifted entirely back to the Yankees and preparation for the long MLB season ahead—exactly as intended.
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