TAMPA — The Yankees struck a deal Monday with a division opponent to bolster their pitching depth.
As they worked to make final changes to their roster ahead of Thursday’s opening day, the Yankees acquired right-handed reliever David McKay from the Rays for cash considerations, the team said.
McKay had been in the Rays’ camp on a minor league deal but reportedly had a clause in his contract that allowed him to move to another team willing to add him to their 40-man roster , if the Rays didn’t. The Yankees had to make a move to open a spot for him on their 40-man roster, but they didn’t immediately announce one.
McKay, 27, owns a 6.08 ERA in 26 major league games split between the Mariners and Tigers. He didn’t serve at all last season after hip surgery last April, according to the Tampa Bay Times.
David McKay plays for the Tigers on March 9, 2020. Getty Images
David McKay poses with the Rays on March 17, 2022. MLB Photos via Getty Images
It wasn’t immediately clear if McKay would join the Yankees’ bullpen or go to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, although the latter is still a possibility as he still has an option. In three Grapefruit League games this spring, McKay gave up three earned runs over 3 2/3 innings while striking three and walking one.
Earlier Monday, manager Aaron Boone said the opening day lineup was almost complete but left the door open to potential trades.
“It can go a lot further,” Boone said. “There’s logistics of roster slots and stuff like that. … There are some things that could still develop.”