Josh Hader, who signed with the Astros, is a potential help to the Yankees’ bullpen.
The Yankees claimed left-handed reliever Matt Gage off waivers from the Astros, the Post’s Jon Heyman reported Monday.
Gage was designated last week to make room for Hader, who signed a five-year, $95 million contract on the Astros’ roster.
For the Yankees to make this move official, they will need to make room for Gage on their 40-man roster.
Gage, 30, a product of upstate New York (Johnstown) and Siena College, appeared in 16 major league games with the Astros and Blue Jays, posting a 1.83 ERA.
He has one minor league option remaining and has increased his value as an arm who can bounce back and forth between the Yankees and Triple-A if needed.
The waiver claim also allows the Yankees to add another left-handed reliever to the 40-man roster in addition to Victor Gonzalez, Nick Ramirez and Matt Kruk, and bring back left-handed pitcher Wandy Peralta in free agency. It’s additional insurance in case you don’t have one.
Originally drafted by the Giants as a starting pitcher in 2014, Gage left the organization to pitch in the Mexican League in 2019, the independent leagues in 2020, and returned to the Diamondbacks’ system as a reliever in 2021.
He made his MLB debut with the Blue Jays in 2022 and joined the Astros in their Triple-A affiliate league in 2023, pitching in 34 games and posting a 4.58 ERA.
