Veteran Pitcher Opts Out of Yankees Contract, Signs With Diamondbacks
With no path to the Bronx, DeSclafani sees a clearer opportunity to return to the majors in Arizona, where pitching depth has become a serious concern.
Anthony DeSclafani, who the Yankees recently took a minor league flyer on, has used an opt out and is going to the Diamondbacks.
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) June 12, 2025
In five Triple-A starts with the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, DeSclafani posted a 4.50 ERA with 20 strikeouts across 20 innings. Though the sample was small, he showed signs of health following his 2024 flexor tendon surgery.
The Yankees, flush with rotation depth, never called him up, and now, he’s heading to a team in need.
Diamondbacks Desperate for Arms After Injury Plague
The timing makes sense for both sides. The Diamondbacks have lost Corbin Burnes to Tommy John surgery, while Jordan Montgomery has missed the entire season.
Their rotation—Zac Gallen, Merrill Kelly, Brandon Pfaadt, Eduardo Rodríguez, and Ryne Nelson—has been shaky, with only Kelly posting solid results. The bullpen isn’t much better, with four relievers recently landing on the IL.
The Yankees signed RHP Anthony Desclafani to a minor league deal.
— SleeperYankees (@SleeperYankees) May 13, 2025
Desclafani has a career 4.20 ERA in 180 games. pic.twitter.com/tz2mEaXWzH
DeSclafani, a 10-year MLB veteran, owns a 4.20 career ERA across 180 games. Though no longer in his prime, he could offer reliable innings and veteran leadership for a Diamondbacks team hovering at .500 and hoping to stay afloat in the tight NL West.
A Sensible Move for a Comeback Attempt
For DeSclafani, this is about opportunity. He hadn’t pitched in the majors since 2023 and was buried on the Yankees’ depth chart behind names like Max Fried, Carlos Rodón, and a rehabbing Marcus Stroman.
Photo Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
