Yankees add pitcher, designate Ronald Torreyes for assignment

Right-hander Parker Bridwell, who put up good numbers as a rookie in 2017, joined the Yankees on Monday in a waiver claim.

The Yankees added intriguing starting pitching depth on Monday by claiming right-hander Parker Bridwell off waivers from the Los Angeles Angels.

Although on the minor league disabled list for much of 2018 due to right elbow inflammation, Bridwell impressively was 10-3 with a 3.64 ERA in 21 games, 20 starts, as a rookie for the 2017 Angels.

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So depending on what the Yankees do the rest of this offseason, Bridwell, 27, will report to spring training in February competing for a rotation spot or long reliever position. Either way, he’ll likely be an option to get some starts next season.

This addition came at the expense of a popular utility infielder Ronald Torreyes, who was designated for assignment to free up a 40-man roster spot for Bridwell.

The Yankees have seven days to dispose of Torreyes’ contract. He either can be traded or placed on irrevocable waivers in the next week.

Torreyes, 26, was a popular and productive utility infielder during his three seasons with the Yankees.

His fielding at shortstop, third base and second base was solid. The 5-foot-8 Venezuelan also proved that he can hit big-league pitching, as he’s a career .281 hitter.

He was beloved by his teammates and a fan favorite too.

Despite all that, Torreyes spent half of the 2018 season in the minors due in part to the Yankees often going with a 13-man pitching staff.

Torreyes hit .280 with seven RBI over 41 games in 2018 after batting .292 with three homers and 36 RBI in 108 games in 2017.

A 6-foot-4, 185-pound Texan, Bridwell was 1-0 with a 17.55 ERA last season for the Angels over five appearances, one as a starter. He also was 1-1 with an 8.68 ERA in six starts for Triple-A Salt Lake.

Bridwell was drafted by the Orioles in 2010 (ninth round) and debuted in the majors with Baltimore in 2016 (2 games, 3.1 IP, 5 ER). He was traded by Baltimore to the Angels for a player to be named or cash on April 17, 2017.

Bridwell is the third starting pitcher added to the Yankees’ roster so far this offseason, as they re-signed free agent left-hander CC Sabathia on Nov. 7 and acquired lefty James Paxton from the Seattle Mariners on Nov. 19 for three minor leaguers.

Randy Miller may be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @RandyJMiller. Find NJ.com on Facebook.