Yankees reform struggling bullpen by adding ex-Met, cutting González

After using six relievers in each of their last two games, the Yankees restructured their bullpen before Friday’s series opener against the Braves.

The reformation actually began Thursday when the Yankees signed the left-handed Tim Hill. The Bombers then lost to the Orioles, 17-5, and sent Ron Marinaccio to Triple-A. Marinaccio pitched in the blowout and in Wednesday’s 10-inning loss. With a minor league option, he was the only choice for a demotion.

Aaron Boone said the righty, who has 2.84 ERA but has allowed five runs in his last four games, handled the decision “like a pro, but he’s not thrilled about it, obviously.”

With Marinaccio gone, the Yankees added right-handers Yoendrys Gómez and Phil Bickford to the active roster on Friday. The team also designated Victor González for assignment. That last move was somewhat surprising, as the Yankees acquired the lefty and infield prospect Jorbit Vivas from the Dodgers for Trey Sweeney, another ranked infield prospect, over the offseason.

However, González was struggling, as was the rest of the bullpen. Prior to Friday, the unit had a 5.16 ERA over its last 29 games. The group recorded a 2.49 ERA over its first 48 games.

“A handful of guys trying to get going and trying to get that consistency going a little bit,” Boone said. “But really, today’s moves are more about just the last couple of days.”

With what they had not working and rested relievers in low supply, the Yankees shook things up with more than a month to go before the trade deadline. The club will likely add more established names to its bullpen before then, as they need at least one power arm.

For now, here’s a closer look at the moves the team made Friday.

González

Matt Blake told the Daily News that cutting González “wasn’t an easy decision.”

“I wouldn’t say it was cut and dry that he was the guy,” the pitching coach continued.

With a 3.86 ERA, González hasn’t been terrible on the surface. But he allowed five runs in his last three games, and his metrics have been terrible outside of a high groundball rate.

In particular, González’s K% dropped from 22.2% in 2023 to 11.3% this year.

“That was tough because I’ve really enjoyed Vic,” Boone said. “I respect him. He’s had some success in the league. It was hard getting him into a good role here. But definitely had some struggles with the strike throwing and not putting guys away a little bit and just felt like this was something over the long haul that we’re probably gonna have to address.”

Blake said that González, a four-year pro, probably won’t clear waivers.

“Someone will take a shot on him,” he said.