The New York Yankees‘ ongoing quest to find their diamond in the rough among the castoff pitchers brought back one of the former top prospects. The Yankees claimed right-hander Roansy Contreras off waivers from the Baltimore Orioles Jan. 23

The Yankees initially signed Contreras as an international free agent in 2016. He was dealt to the Pittsburgh Pirates in January 2021, along with other prospects for right-hander Jameson Taillon.

Now, he is another of the castoff pitchers the Yankees like to bring into spring training camp to see if pitching coach Matt Blake can turn them around. The same day, the Yankees also claimed Allan Winans off waivers to add to their pitching depth.

Still just 25 years old, Contreras has had a bumpy journey since leaving the Yankees.

Over parts of four seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates (2021-24) and Los Angeles Angels (2024), he is 10-16 with three saves and a 4.72 ERA in 90 career appearances, including 33 starts. Last season, Contreras went 2-4 with two saves and a 4.35 ERA in 49 combined appearances, including three starts, with the Pirates and Los Angeles Angels.

The Angels cut him at the end of the year, and he was picked up by Texas in October, Cincinnati in December, and Baltimore not even two weeks before the Yankees claimed him off waivers.

But the Yankees know what they have in Contreras, and he flashed a lot of talent in the minors. In his last season in the Yankees organization, he posted a 3.33 ERA over 132 1/3 innings in Class-A Charleston.

The Yankees have built their bullpen with other teams’ castoffs over the last few years; Blake has a track record of success with Clay Holmes and Luke Weaver going from afterthoughts to dominant relievers with his help.