Yankees bolster bullpen by claiming reliever John Schreiber off waivers
The Yankees claimed right-handed reliever John Schreiber off waivers from the Royals to address an overworked bullpen. Schreiber has a 3.65 ERA in 49 1/3 innings this season, though his underlying metrics suggest potential regression. He will be postseason-eligible if added to the roster by Tuesday.
The waiver claim comes as the Yankees' relief corps has been stretched thin, with manager Aaron Boone recently acknowledging the group's heavy workload. Schreiber's surface numbers look respectable, but his underlying performance — including a 4.87 FIP and an 11 percent walk rate — suggests he may have benefited from batted-ball luck, as his .248 BABIP sits well below league norms.
The Yankees have a track record of revitalizing relievers acquired late in the season, with Paul Blackburn, Tim Hill, and Luke Weaver all joining the club in similar fashion and thriving afterward. Schreiber's roughly $600,000 remaining salary is a modest commitment, and his addition before the Sept. 1 cutoff ensures he can appear in the postseason if added to the active roster by Tuesday.
This move primarily affects Yankees fans and the team's postseason aspirations, as adding a reliever could provide crucial depth during a demanding stretch run. It may also influence how other contenders approach waiver claims as the playoff picture tightens, though the broader societal impact remains limited to the entertainment value of competitive baseball. For players like Schreiber