Yankees complete deal for JT Brubaker by trading prospect to Pirates
BALTIMORE — The Yankees and Pirates completed the late-March trade that sent JT Brubaker to New York on Tuesday, as the Bombers dealt Keiner Delgado to Pittsburgh.
The two sides initially agreed that the Yankees would trade a player to be named later after they also received international signing bonus money in the trade.
Delgado is a relatively notable return for the Pirates, as MLB.com had the infielder ranked 20th in the Yankees’ system. The 20-year-old Venezuelan has mostly played second base and shortstop over two professional seasons.
Delgado hit .293/.414/.485 with eight home runs, 31 RBI and 36 stolen bases over 49 games in the rookie-level Florida Complex League in 2023.
Brubaker, meanwhile, is still recovering from Tommy John surgery after not pitching at all in 2023. The righty is on the 60-day injured list, which was his status when the Yankees acquired him.
“He’s been on the mound for a while now,” Boone said Tuesday before the Yankees played the Orioles. “So I would think he’s on track to be an option for us at some point in the summer.”
Brubaker, 30, recorded a 4.99 ERA over 63 games (61 starts) and three seasons with Pittsburgh.
Cole Still On Flat Ground
Speaking of former Pirates, Boone said that he still doesn’t know when Gerrit Cole will transition to mound work, the next significant step in his recovery from elbow inflammation.
Cole has been playing catch since April 8, and he and Boone have only relayed positive updates after each session.
“I just know he had a good day,” Boone said after Cole threw again Tuesday.
Cole is on the 60-day injured list. May 27 is the earliest he can come back, but that seems like an unlikely target considering he hasn’t taken the bump yet.
Other Injury Updates
According to Boone, Tommy Kahnle (delayed throwing program) will throw a live session on Wednesday.
Nick Burdi (hip) went to Somerset to throw a bullpen on Tuesday. Jon Berti (groin) was scheduled to play in another rehab game for the Double-A club on Tuesday as well.
Psyched for Sevy
Former Yankees starter Luis Severino was electric for the Mets on Tuesday night, taking a no-hit bid into the eighth inning. The right-hander ultimately allowed one knock and one run over eight innings against the Cubs. He walked two and struck out five.
Asked what he thought of Severino’s performance, Boone said, “Wow.”
“I didn’t see any of it, but pretty impressive,” Boone continued. “Good for him. I know he’s worked really hard, obviously, and been through a lot over the last several years. I actually talked to [Carlos Mendoza] last night for a few minutes. So pretty good to see Sevy throwing the ball the way we all know he’s capable of.”
Severino spent his entire career with the Yankees prior to this season, pitching in pinstripes from 2015-2023. He once looked like an ace in the making, but injuries derailed his time in the Bronx before he signed a one-year, $13 million deal with the Mets over the winter.
The pact has worked out for both parties, as Severino has a 2.31 ERA after six starts.
