The New York Yankees are moving on from one of their most frequently used bullpen arms.
Before Sunday’s rubber match against the Colorado Rockies, the Yankees announced they have designated right-handed reliever Michael Tonkin for assignment.
This decision opened a spot on the 26-man roster for another right-handed reliever, Phil Bickford, who was previously designated for assignment by the team earlier this season.
Tonkin, 34, was DFA’d three times in April—once by the Twins and twice by the Mets—before landing with the Yankees on April 25. Since then, the journeyman reliever, who has also pitched in Japan and the Atlantic League, became one of the Yankees’ most dependable bullpen options in middle relief. Only Luke Weaver has pitched more relief innings for the Yankees in 2024.
In 39 appearances, Tonkin posted a 3.38 ERA, a 1.16 WHIP and a 9.2 K/9 rate while recording two saves in 56 innings. He was 1-2 with a 6.00 ERA in six combined relief appearances before joining the Yankees.
“A tough one today. Tonk’s been great,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone told the media. He added that with several pitchers unavailable to pitch Sunday after using five bullpen arms the day before, including Tonkin, they wanted to avoid being short-staffed during their next two games.
