Capuano, Yankees agree to $5 million, 1-year deal

Chris Capuano is staying with the New York Yankees, just like fellow free agents Chase Headley and Chris Young.

The 36-year-old left-hander agreed Tuesday to a $5 million, one-year contract and figures to join a rotation projected to included Masahiro Tanaka, CC Sabathia and Michael Pineda — all coming off injuries.

"We like him. We think that he's a crafty lefty that knows how to pitch," Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said.

Cashman tried to sign Capuano last offseason before the pitcher agreed to a $2.25 million deal with Boston that contained many bonus provisions for innings and starts.

Capuano had a 4.55 ERA in 28 relief appearances for the Red Sox and was released July 1. He signed with Colorado three days later but never made it to the majors with the Rockies. New York purchased his contract July 24, and he replaced Chase Whitley in the rotation.

Capuano was 2-3 with a 4.25 ERA in 12 starts for the Yankees, who set a team record by using 33 pitchers this year. He has a 76-87 record and 4.28 ERA in 10 big league seasons.

His salary with the Yankees is not guaranteed, meaning he can be released during spring training for 30 or 45 days of termination pay, depending on the timing.

Cashman said until Ivan Nova returns in May or June from elbow-ligament replacement surgery, David Phelps, Adam Warren, Bryan Mitchell, Jose De Paula, Esmil Rogers and Manny Banuelos could fill the fifth spot in the rotation. New York seems unwilling to consider Max Scherzer, who likely will be the priciest pitcher on the free-agent market.

"We're open to pursuing opportunities that I would call legitimate opportunities that present themselves," Cashman said. "I feel better today about our overall situation than I did in October, and I feel we've really addressed a lot of areas of need. But I'm still open-minded to continuing to pursue and consider any legitimate opportunities that present themselves."

Young, a backup outfielder, agreed to a $2.5 million, one-year contract. Headley, who figures to start at third base, over Alex Rodriguez accepted a $52 million, four-year deal. Like Capuano, Headley and Young were acquired during last season.

New York's most prominent addition has been left-hander Andrew Miller, who reached a $36 million, four-year agreement and will compete with Dellin Betances to replace David Robertson as the closer.

AP