New York Yankees Officially Release David Aardsma

Veteran reliever David Aardsma is now a free agent after receiving his unconditional release from the Yankees. (Image Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports)

Veteran right-handed reliever David Aardsma has officially received his unconditional release from the New York Yankees, according to MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch. Aardsma had been designated for assignment last Friday by the organization. He’s now free to sign anywhere as a free agent.

Aardsma had initially joined the Yankees a year ago February, while he still was recovering from Tommy John Surgery. The organization willingly made the deal knowing the potential that Aardsma would bring, but the team didn’t end up getting to see much of it. Aardsma would make just a single appearance for the Yankees, in late September. He’d allow one run (a J.P. Arencibia solo home run) in an inning of work. The team elected to bring him back for another season, exercising a $500,000 option for 2013 in their original contract, but it had become evident by the end of Spring Training that he no longer had a place within the organization. He wasn’t going to win a spot on the active roster and the team ultimately felt that his spot on the 40-man roster could be better utilized elsewhere.

Serving as the closer for the Seattle Mariners during the 2009 and 2010 seasons, Aardsma was enjoying the best stretch of his career before surgery became necessary. He’d saved 69 games with a 2.90 ERA and 1.165 WHIP in 121.0 IP over those two seasons. In addition to Seattle and New York he’s also seen time in the Major Leagues with the San Francisco Giants, Chicago Cubs, and Boston Red Sox. A former 1st Round pick (2003, San Francisco) and still just 31, Aardsma will likely find an opportunity somewhere before long, though he may need to be willing to accept a minor league deal initially.