A week before pitchers and catchers report to spring training, the Yankees have finally reunited with reliever Tim Hill.
The veteran lefty returns on a one-year contract, as first reported by ESPN’s Jeff Passan, worth $2.5 million, with a $3 million club option or $350,000 buyout for 2026.
Hill became a trusted part of manager Aaron Boone’s bullpen after a wretched first few months of 2024 with the historically woeful Chicago White Sox, posting a 5.87 ERA in 27 appearances.
But in 36 games with the Yankees, Hill posted a 2.05 ERA and a 69-percent groundball rate in 35 games.
Prior to their agreement with Hill, who turns 35 this month, the Yankees did not have a lefty presence in their bullpen.
Earlier this offseason, Clay Holmes signed a free agent contract to be a starter with the Mets, and the Yankees replaced him with closer Devin Williams, acquired in a trade that sent Nestor Cortes to the Milwaukee Brewers.
The Yankees lost Tommy Kahnle (Detroit Tigers) to free agency, but re-signed Jonathan Loaisiga and traded catcher Jose Trevino to the Cincinnati Reds for right-handed setup reliever Fernando Cruz.
Luke Weaver, Ian Hamilton and Jake Cousins also return to Boone’s bullpen in 2025.
