The Yankees have unconditionally released reliever David Aardsma, tweets MLB.com's Bryan Hoch. Aardsma had been designated for assignment on Friday.
Aardsma signed with the Yankees in February 2012, and appeared in only one big league game for them after recovering from July 2011 Tommy John surgery. The team picked up his cheap $500K option in October, but cut him this spring partially due to his history as a one-inning guy.
Aardsma, 31, was drafted in the first round by the Giants in 2003, but didn't really find himself until he became the Mariners' closer in 2009. From 2009-10, Aardsma ranked ninth in the game with 69 saves. Aardsma's velocity reached 94 miles per hour in Spring Training, and he was able to prove his health, so he should generate interest as a free agent.
