Yankees Reserved Jersey Number for Free Agent Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Per Report

The Yankees reportedly kept the No. 18 jersey vacant in anticipation of Yamamoto’s availability.

The Yankees are expected to compete this offseason for the signature of coveted ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto after the Japanese pitcher was posted by Nippon Professional Baseball for a potential deal with an MLB club. 

New York has long been enamored with Yamamoto, and in an effort to woo the 25-year-old to the Bronx, the Yankees kept the No. 18 uniform available throughout the ‘23 campaign so that it would be available to offer Yamamoto should he sign for the franchise, according to a report from Andy Martino of SNY.

In Japan, the No. 18 is a number that signifies a pitcher’s status as an ace. Yamamoto dons the No. 18 uniform for the Orix Buffaloes in the NPB, and former Yankees pitcher Hiroki Kuroda, also from Japan, wore the digits during his tenure with the franchise.

Martino indicates that in preparation for the possibility of bringing Yamamoto to New York in free agency this offseason, the franchise opted to keep the No. 18 vacant last year.

Yamamoto was officially posted for MLB consideration on Monday, Nov. 20, opening a 45-day window for the right-hander to negotiate with teams.