Yankees swap one ex-Mud Hen for another in late-season roster shuffle

Minnesota Twins pitcher Chi Chi Gonzalez (51) throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays, Saturday, June 11, 2022, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)

DETROIT -- Jacob Barnes’ tenure as a member of the New York Yankees lasted just one day.

The former Detroit Tigers reliever pitched 1 2/3 innings without allowing a run in the Yankees’ 8-0 victory over Baltimore on Saturday afternoon. He designated for assignment after the game.

His replacement? A former teammate with the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens, Chi-Chi Gonzalez.

Gonzalez, 30, spent only a short time in the Tigers’ system in his well-traveled 2022 season.

He signed a minor-league deal with the Minnesota Twins before spring training; played briefly in the big leagues; was designated for assignment and claimed by Milwaukee; pitched in four games, including two starts; was DFA’d again; went through waivers unclaimed; signed a minor-league deal with the Tigers; pitched in five games for the Mud Hens before exercising his opt-out; and finally signed a minor-league deal with the Yankees in late August.

His contract was selected from Triple-A Scranton-Wilkes-Barre on Saturday. If Barnes’ experience is any indication, Gonzalez won’t be with the Yankees very long.

Why are the Yanks cycling through veteran pitchers from Triple-A. They’ve already clinched a playoff berth and need pitchers to eat innings in the final games of the regular season. Barnes served that purpose on Saturday. Now it’s Gonzalez’s turn.

Barnes, 32, made the Tigers’ Opening Day roster and pitched out of the pen until being designated for assignment in June. He was 3-1 with a 6.10 ERA in 20 2/3 innings, walking nine and striking out 10.

After passing through waivers unclaimed, Barnes signed with the Seattle Mariners and spent a few days on the active roster without making an appearance before being waived again. He then landed back in the Tigers’ organization, pitching well for the Mud Hens during a few weeks in August.

With no promotion to Detroit imminent, Barnes triggered an opt-out in his contract and signed a minor-league deal with the New York Yankees on Aug. 30. He was pitching in Scranton until Saturday’s promotion.

The Yankees’ will be Barnes’ eighth Major League team since he debuted with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2016.

Barnes was well-liked in Detroit. It wouldn’t be a huge surprise to see him back in Lakeland next spring on a minor-league deal.

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