Chien-Ming Wang Does Not Exercise Out Clause, Remains with Yankees

Chien-Ming Wang, who spent the 2011 and 2012 seasons with the Washington Nationals, elected to remain with the Yankees Triple-A affiliate for the foreseeable future rather than exercise his first opt out clause. (Image Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports)

Having missed a significant amount of time due to injury since early in the 2009 season, Chien-Ming Wang drew considerable attention over the course of the winter as he searched for an opportunity to continue his pitching career. It was only after a strong showing for Chinese-Taipei during the World Baseball Classic (12.0 IP over two starts, without allowing a run) that the interest turned into an offer. The New York Yankees inked Wang to a minor league contract in late March, a deal which contains five different dates at which point he is free to opt out of the deal and become a free agent.

The first of those dates has come and gone, with Wang electing to remain with the Yankees organization, according to a report from Focus Taiwan as passed along by Mike Axisa at River Ave. Blues. Wang’s five opt out dates are as follows, according to Axisa: April 30, May 31, June 30, August 10, and August 31.

In 130 appearances (120 GS) over his career Wang holds a 61-32 record and 4.26 ERA over 765.1 IP. He spent the first five seasons of his career with the Yankees before spending parts of the last two with the Washington Nationals.

Wang has made three starts for the Yankees Triple-A team in Scranton, posting a 2-1 record and 0.95 ERA over 19.0 IP. He’s struck out seven (3.3 K/9) and walked three (1.4 BB/9), while appearing to have his groundball inducing sinker back. Should Wang continue to pitch this well he should find himself in a Major League rotation before long, be it with the injury-ravaged Yankees or with another organization.