ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Ten years after being the Yankees’ top pitching prospect — and one of the best in baseball — Manny Banuelos finally got the call to join their big league roster.
The Yankees selected Banuelos’ contract from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Thursday, adding the left-hander to their ailing bullpen before beginning a series against the Rays at Tropicana Field.
“It’s huge for me,” Banuelos said. “A lot of people tell me it was supposed to happen like 10 years ago, but never is [too] late. I never gave up. This is my dream, [not only] pitching in the big leagues but with the Yankees.”
The 31-year-old Banuelos, who was 17 when he first signed with the Yankees as an international free agent in 2008, rejoined the organization over the offseason in hopes of achieving a day like Thursday.
Banuelos was one third of the “Killer B’s” — along with Dellin Betances and Andrew Brackman — back in 2011, hoping to become a big part of the Yankees’ pitching future.
Instead, Banuelos needed Tommy John surgery after the 2012 season, which derailed his first go-around with the Yankees. He struggled upon returning from the procedure and in 2015 was traded to the Braves.
Banuelos made his MLB debut that season and got back to the big leagues in 2019 with the White Sox. But he spent the next two seasons pitching for the Fubon Guardians in the Chinese Professional Baseball League.
With a clean bill of health, Banuelos signed a minor league contract with the Yankees during the offseason and then impressed in spring training. He was among the final cuts, though, with his absence from the 40-man roster working against his chances of making the Opening Day roster.
But after the Yankees recently lost Chad Green (Tommy John surgery), Aroldis Chapman (Achilles tendinitis) and Jonathan Loaisiga (shoulder discomfort) to the injured list, Banuelos finally got his opportunity. He arrived in The Bronx on Wednesday as a member of the team’s taxi squad before learning on Thursday afternoon that he was being added to the active roster.
“It was very emotional,” Banuelos said. “When they told me I had to go to Yankee Stadium, I was in shock, to be honest. First thing I did was call my family, because they knew I wanted this really bad. I was very happy.”
Banuelos, who posted a 2.35 ERA in seven games (five starts) at SWB, will provide length out of the bullpen.
“Pitchability, command of several pitches, the quality of the stuff was there,” manager Aaron Boone said. “And then he got results too. … Excited for this opportunity for him and he’s certainly earned it.”
Banuelos will wear No. 68, which was Betances’ old number.
“We talked about that in spring training,” Banuelos said. “After my outing against the Blue Jays, he called me and said, ‘Man, I just watched you on TV. You look good.’ I said, ‘I’m sorry I’m using your number.’ He said, ‘No, no, keep using it. I like it. I like to see that 68 on your back.’ ”