The Yankees announced Wednesday that they’ve signed right-hander Tony Zych to a minor league contract. The former Mariners reliever, a client of ISE Baseball, will be in Major League camp with the team this spring.
It’s been more than two years since Zych, 29, threw his last pitch at the big league level, as injuries have beset the righty for much of his career. Zych had surgery to repair a biceps/shoulder injury back in 2016 and was slowed by a forearm issue in 2017. He didn’t pitch at all in 2019 — an absence that stemming from 2018 thoracic outlet surgery.
Though Zych has a long line of arm troubles in his past, he’s been impressive when he’s been able to take the mound. The 2011 fourth-rounder (Cubs) has logged 72 2/3 innings in the big leagues and compiled a 2.72 ERA/3.22 FIP with 9.9 K/9, 4.2 BB/9, 0.37 HR/9 and a 49.7 percent ground-ball rate. Right-handed batters have posted an awful .216/.327/.269 batting line against him, while lefties have hit him at just a .217/.311/.370 clip. Zych has faced 203 right-handed hitters in the Majors without allowing a home run.
The track record of pitchers coming back from TOS surgery isn’t great, and the Yankees have a rather impressive bullpen mix as is. But Zych’s track record of big league success is rather impressive, so even if he doesn’t crack the Opening Day roster, he’ll be a nice piece to stash in Triple-A if his arm is back at full strength.
We want the ball. And we’re gonna score!
He comes back to his norm, this is a steal on a great team.
I cannot think of one player than came back from tos and was actually good. Tyson Ross has a few good games after that, but that’s it. Matt Harvey was meh
I can’t see TOS without thinking about AOL’s Terms Of Service
No, it really isn’t. His norm, which lasted exactly one season aka small sample, wasnt good to begin with. He has 72 IP in his career, how on earth can you make that leap so easily?
The guy is depth and nothing more. Nothing to see here…
put up some good numbers with Seattle. if he’s 100% this move is a winner.
He was fun to watch in the Seattle pen- it’s a pity he couldn’t stay healthy, the Ms BP could’ve used him. I hope he gets healthy, this could be a really good pickup if he stays healthy.
Future all star now since he’s a Yankee
72 career IP, hasnt pitched in mlb since 2017 = expert-quality opinions going on in the comments
any Yankee signing is a future allstar duh lol
Yup, the All Star team is always all Yankees. Every year the Yankees have the most All Stars. All the position player All Stars are always Yankees. All the pitcher All Stars are always Yankees. And other stupid hater nonsense.
Pitchers are better before and after becoming yankees.
This is a really solid no-risk signing. if he can regain his form prior to his injuries he could wind up being a really solid bullpen piece. And worst case scenario he serves as depth in AAA — if he’s healthy enough to pitch I’m actually kind of surprised there wasn’t more interest in him. I mean granted it’s been 2 years since he last pitched but before he got hurt he was really quite effective – you’d think a team with a more clear cut path to a roster spot would’ve been interested in signing him before the Yankees (who have a pretty full pen already) swooped in and got him.
Good signing. He looked like a real solid bullpen piece before the injuries. Good luck to him (even if it comes with the Yankees).
Alright Tony! My favorite player.
Guaranteed to always be last, in alphabetical order.
This guys a real son of a Zych
I see this move as nothing more than providing a body during Spring Training. There are certainly better candidates to make the squad after the final cuts are made.
I’m rooting for him; in part since he went to my high school in Chicago!
St. Rita?
Good signing. This will give Cole some competition in spring training…..
Yeah, at pinochle.
haha exactly
Hey Steve, Zych was a 4th round pick of the Cubs in 2011.
Huh — I must’ve had multiple B-Ref pages up and glanced at the wrong player. Thanks for that. Updated.
You da man.
Only Yankees fans could flood their silly depth signings with “expert analysis of guy I just heard about” posts lmao yall are clowns….
Yeah there’s a ton of that happening. Not!
Lol I’m a yankee fan and I agree with Strike Four this dude is purely depth
I would like to see Yankees deploy their AAA pitchers in the majors like the Rays do – just give them a solid shot. I understand their mentality with acquiring an equal-level replacement, but bring up a young reliever and roll with it. I also get that this move does not mean they cannot do the aforesaid, but it is atypical for them to deploy a minor-level replacement long term. C’mon, build the youth in which we see potential….
When Tony Zych signed with the Yankees, his beard filed a grievance.