According to the New York Post, former Chicago Cubs reliever Duane Underwood Jr. and the New York Yankees have reached an agreement on a minor-league contract.
An invitation to the Yankees’ Major League Spring Training in Tampa is included with the contract.
Underwood began his career with the Cubs, where he played for three seasons before making his breakthrough in 2018. He had a 5.20 ERA, one save, and a 1-1 record across 30 appearances (one start) in the 2020 campaign. In nine innings, he struck out 10.7 batters.
In the second round of the 2012 MLB Draft, the Cubs selected Underwood, a graduate of Pope High School in Marietta, Georgia. He participated in the 2016 Arizona Fall League in addition to his stint in the minors, and he was added to the Cubs’ 40-man roster.
Underwood left Chicago to play for the Pirates for three seasons in Pittsburgh. In 114 games (one start), he finished 4-9 with a 4.49 ERA, three saves, and 7.9 strikeouts per nine innings.
Underwood began the 2023 World Baseball Classic with the Puerto Rican national team. However, he was in a precarious situation with the Pirates, as they designated him for assignment in late May and, upon his failure to be claimed, demoted him to Triple-A Indianapolis in early June.
He was either on the Indianapolis injured list or the developmental list for the most of his career in the minor leagues. At the conclusion of the season, he became a free agent.
During his tenure with Pittsburgh in the previous season, the 29-year-old made 20 appearances, finished 1-0 with two saves, had a 5.18 ERA, and struck out 5.8 batters per nine innings—a career low.
