Yankees Activate Ryan Yarbrough, Recall J.C. Escarra for September

The New York Yankees have activated left-handed pitcher Ryan Yarbrough from the injured list as rosters expand in September, marking a boost to their bullpen for the crucial playoff push. Yarbrough, sidelined since June with a right oblique strain, had been effective both as a starter and reliever before his injury, and is expected to return to a long-relief role given the strong performances of rookie Cam Schlittler in the rotation. Alongside Yarbrough, the Yankees recalled catcher and emergency infielder J.C. Escarra from Triple-A, providing manager Aaron Boone additional versatility off the bench, especially against left-handed pitching. The team opted not to promote top prospect Spencer Jones, who continues to develop in Triple-A due to concerns about his recent offensive inconsistency and lack of a clear role during the playoff race. Yarbrough’s return adds depth to the bullpen, while Escarra’s presence offers strategic options for matchup-based substitutions during games. Overall, these moves reflect the Yankees’ approach to balancing immediate competitive needs with long-term player development.