Yankees sign LHP Justin Wilson

The New York Yankees announced today that they have signed LHP Justin Wilson to a one-year contract for the 2021 season with a player option for 2022. If the player option is declined, there is a club option for 2022. If the player option is exercised, there is an additional club option for 2023.

Wilson, 33, spent the 2020 season with the Mets, going 2-1 with a 3.66 ERA (19.2IP, 8ER) and 23K in 23 relief appearances. Overall, he held opponents scoreless in 18-of-23 outings, allowing more than 1ER in just two appearances.

Over 480 relief outings in nine Major League seasons with the Pirates (2012-14), Yankees (2015), Tigers (2016-17), Cubs (2017-18) and Mets (2019-20), he is 32-22 with 18 saves, a 3.27 ERA (429.1IP, 156ER) and 474K. Since 2014, Wilson ranks second among all left-handed pitchers with 414 appearances. Over the last four seasons (2017-20), he has posted an 11.35 K/9.0IP ratio (216K, 171.1IP), the eighth-highest mark among left-handed relievers over the stretch.

The Anaheim, Calif., native appeared in the postseason in five of six seasons from 2013-18, combining to post a 1.69 ERA (5.1IP, 1ER) with 4K in six playoff relief outings.

After being acquired from Pittsburgh in exchange for C Francisco Cervelli in November 2014, Wilson was 5-0 with a 3.10 ERA (61.0IP, 21ER) and 66K in a career-high 74 relief appearances for the Yankees in 2015. He was traded to Detroit in exchange for RHPs Luis Cessa and Chad Green in December 2015.

Wilson was originally selected by Pittsburgh in the fifth round of the 2008 First-Year Player Draft out of Fresno State.

To make room on the 40-man roster, OF Greg Allen was designated for assignment.