The New York Yankees have re-signed right-handed pitcher Colten Brewer to a minor league contract, marking his third stint with the organization. Brewer, who previously played for the Yankees in 2017 and briefly in 2023, rejoins the team after a tumultuous season with the Chicago Cubs.
Brewer’s 2024 season with the Cubs was marred by a self-inflicted injury. On July 6, following a challenging relief appearance against the Los Angeles Angels at Wrigley Field, Brewer punched a dugout wall in frustration, fracturing his left (non-pitching) hand. In that outing, he allowed three runs (one earned) on two hits and two walks over two-thirds of an inning. The injury led to Brewer being placed on the 60-day injured list, sidelining him for a significant portion of the season.
Prior to his injury, Brewer’s performance with the Cubs was underwhelming. In 16 appearances, he posted a 5.66 ERA and a 1.60 WHIP over 20 2/3 innings, surrendering 13 earned runs and issuing nine walks. These struggles were a continuation of the challenges he faced throughout his career, which has included stints with the San Diego Padres, Boston Red Sox, and the Yankees.
Brewer’s professional journey began when the Pittsburgh Pirates selected him in the fourth round of the 2011 MLB Draft. He spent several years in the Pirates’ minor league system before being selected by the Yankees in the minor league phase of the Rule 5 Draft in December 2016. During his first tenure with the Yankees, Brewer advanced through their minor league affiliates but did not make a major league appearance before electing free agency in November 2017.
In November 2017, Brewer signed a major league contract with the San Diego Padres, making his MLB debut in April 2018. He appeared in 11 games for the Padres that season, recording a 5.59 ERA. The following year, he was traded to the Boston Red Sox, where he spent parts of three seasons, accumulating a 4.98 ERA over 81 appearances.
Brewer’s second stint with the Yankees occurred in 2023 when he was acquired from the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for cash considerations. He made three appearances for New York, allowing four runs over 8 1/3 innings before being designated for assignment. After electing free agency, Brewer signed with the Hanshin Tigers of Nippon Professional Baseball in July 2023, where he posted a 2.38 ERA over 13 games.
Returning to Major League Baseball, Brewer signed with the Chicago Cubs in December 2023. After starting the 2024 season with the Triple-A Iowa Cubs, where he excelled with a 1.17 ERA over six games, he was promoted to the major league roster in April. However, his tenure with the Cubs was cut short due to the injury sustained in July. Following the season, Brewer was removed from the Cubs’ 40-man roster and elected free agency in November 2024.
The Yankees’ decision to bring Brewer back into the fold appears to be a low-risk move aimed at bolstering their pitching depth. Given Brewer’s prior experience with the organization and his familiarity with the team’s system, the Yankees may be optimistic about his potential to rebound from a challenging 2024 season. However, Brewer will need to demonstrate improved performance and consistency to secure a spot on the major league roster.
As Brewer prepares for the upcoming season, his focus will likely be on regaining form and proving his value to the Yankees’ pitching staff. With spring training on the horizon, Brewer has an opportunity to make a compelling case for his inclusion in the team’s plans for the 2025 season.
Leave a Reply