Ex-Yankees Pitcher Signs With Reds As Intriguing Bounce-Back Candidate

It sounds like one former member of the Yankees has a new home

One former member of the New York Yankees officially has found himself a new home. 

Former Yankees pitcher Brooks Kriske officially signed a minor league deal with the Cincinnati Reds on Thursday after spending part of the 2023 season with the Kansas City Royals, according to the club. 

"The Reds today signed (right-handed pitcher) Brooks Kriske to a minor league contract with an invitation to Major League camp."

Kriske was selected in the sixth round of the 2016 Major League Baseball June Amateur Draft and worked his way up through the Yankees' farm system. He eventually made his big league debut with the Yankees in 2020 and made four appearances and allowed six earned runs across 3 2/3 innings pitched. 

The righty made 12 appearances with the Yankees in 2021 but was designated for assignment and eventually landed with the Baltimore Orioles. Kriske eventually was released and landed with the Yokohama DeNA Baystars of Nippon Professional Baseball in 2022. He signed with the Royals ahead of the 2023 season and made four appearances before joining the Saitama Seibu Lions of the NPB.

Kriske now will look to work his way back up to the big leagues with the Reds. He does have some upside and is 29 years old. In two seasons in the NPB, Kriske has logged a 2.31 ERA across 32 appearances. If he can play at that level in the Reds' farm system, it wouldn't be too surprising to see him get another shot at the big leagues in 2024.