Jimmy

Cordero

Cordero was suspended for the final three months of the MLB season for violating the league’s Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assaults and Child Abuse Policy, and he became a free agent after the Yankees removed him from their 40-man roster last month. It doesn’t seem very likely that he’ll ever pitch in MLB again.

Cordero has been officially jettisoned from New York’s 40-man roster heading into the offseason after being handed an indefinite suspension back in July for violating MLB and the MLBPA’s joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Policy.

There hasn’t been any word on exactly what led to the suspension, but one assumes this has been in the works for weeks or maybe months. MLB’s announcement said Cordero accepted the suspension, which will also cover the postseason. It’s implied that he’ll be eligible to return at the beginning of 2024.

Cordero will open a bullpen game for the Yankees on Monday against the Blue Jays in Toronto. The 31-year-old righty has pitched well this season for New York, compiling a 2.81 ERA, 0.81 WHIP and 17/3 K/BB ratio across 16 innings (15 appearances). He’ll likely hand the ball over to rookie Jhony Brito for a multi-inning relief appearance after working an inning or two at the outset of Monday’s series opener.

Manager Aaron Boone said afterwards that Cordero had a very good shot at a bullpen spot. The former National has been sitting 96-99 mph with his fastball while posting a 4.00 ERA in nine innings this spring.

The Yankees never gave Cordero a chance last season, but they liked his Triple-A results enough to add him to the 40-man roster in November. He’s been very sharp this spring, allowing just one baserunner in four innings, and he’s a definite threat to make the Yankees with both Lou Trivino (elbow) and Tommy Kahnle (biceps) IL bound.

The 31-year-old hurler was signed to a minor league contract prior to the 2021 season after sitting out that entire campaign while recovering from Tommy John surgery. He impressed at Triple-A though upon his eventual return, posting a 2.09 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 50/13 K/BB ratio over 38 2/3 innings -- which was enough for the Yankees to give him a spot on the 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 draft.

The Yankees jettisoned the trio of long-shot righty relievers from major-league camp on Sunday afternoon. They’ll open the regular season at Triple-A Scranton-Wilkes/Barre as organizational pitching depth.

Cordero was cut loose by the White Sox in November after missing the entire 2021 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery. The 30-year-old right-hander owns a career 4.55 ERA and 65/32 K/BB ratio in 83 innings of relief at the major league level.

Cordero was removed from the White Sox’ 40-man roster earlier this week and will search for a new opportunity this offseason. The 30-year-old righty missed the entire 2021 campaign while recovering from Tommy John elbow reconstructive surgery.