Once-promising Reds starter resurfaces with Yankees after years of injuries

Anthony DeSclafani spent all last season on the injured list due to right flexor tendon surgery, but the former Cincinnati Reds starter isn't ready to hang 'em up just yet. DeSclafani signed a minor-league deal with the New York Yankees earlier this week and was assigned to Triple-A Scranton/ Wilkes-Barre.

Reds fans will remember DeSclafani's tenure in Cincinnati as one that was filled with promise and frustration. More times than not, when he was on the mound, the Reds had a chance to win. The problem was, DeSclafani spent more time on the IL than he did on the hill.

In five season with the Reds, DeSclafani only pitched in a total of 112 games, averaging 22 starts per season. The right-hander missed the entire 2017 season and almost two calendar years after UCL surgery and several setbacks. DeSclafani was 35-37 during his five seasons in Cincinnati and posted a 4.19 ERA with 556 punch outs and a 103 ERA+.

Once-promising Reds starter Anthony DeSclafani resurfaces with Yankees after years of injuries

DeSclafani's major-league career began with the Miami Marlins. A former sixth-round pick of the Toronto Blue Jays in 2011, DeSclafani was part of a massive trade package in November of 2012. DeSclafani, Jake Marisnick, and others were shipped to Miami in exchange for Mark Buerhle, Jose Reyes and three other Marlins' players.

After one major league season with the Marlins, DeSclafani and Chad Wallach were traded to the Reds in exchange for Mat Latos. Cincinnati was happy to be rid of Latos, and DeSclfani went 9-13 with a 4.05 ERA during his first season with the Reds. His best season with the Reds came in 2019 when, for the first time in years, he was finally healthy. The right-hander racked up 167 strikeouts over 166 ⅔ innings.

Unfortunately, a back injury and the pandemic shortened 2020 season prevented DeSclafani from carrying his success over to the following season, and he left in free agency the following winter. DeScalfani spent three years with the San Francisco Giants before joining the Minnesota Twins for what would turn into a lost season.

DeSclafani will now try to get back on track with the Yankees, a team who could definitely use the added depth. Luis Gil, Marcus Stroman, and Gerrit Cole are all currently on the IL.

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