Yankees' Jake Woodford Elects to Leave Organization
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Veteran right-handed pitcher Jake Woodford has triggered the opt-out clause in his contract with the New York Yankees and elected free agency, as first reported by Steve Adams of MLB Trade Rumors.
More news: Yankees Veteran First Baseman/Outfielder Triggers Opt-Out Clause, Heads to Free Agency
Source: Right-hander Jake Woodford triggered an out in his deal with #Yankees and is a free agent. — Steve Adams (@Adams_Steve) June 1, 2025
Woodford signed a minor league deal with the Yankees in March. After not being promoted to the major leagues, the 28-year-old has chosen to head back to free agency in search of a new opportunity.
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 6: A New York Yankees baseball hat sits on top of a glove in the Yankee dugout against the Boston Red Sox during the eighth inning at Yankee Stadium on...
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 6: A New York Yankees baseball hat sits on top of a glove in the Yankee dugout against the Boston Red Sox during the eighth inning at Yankee Stadium on June 6, 2021 in the Bronx borough of New York City. MoreWoodford made 10 appearances and seven starts at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre this season, sporting a 4.54 ERA across 39.2 innings pitched. He had 39 strikeouts and a WHIP of 1.56.
Woodford was initially selected in the first round of the 2015 MLB Draft by the St. Louis Cardinals. He rose through the minor league ranks before debuting with St. Louis in 2020.
He ended up spending four seasons with the Cardinals, making 80 appearances (18 starts) and sporting a 4.29 ERA across 184.2 innings pitched.
More news: Will Yankees Be Aggressive at Trade Deadline? MLB Insider Answers
After the 2023 season, Woodford was non-tendered by the Cardinals. In January 2024, he signed a minor league deal with the Chicago White Sox.
Woodford made two starts for the White Sox, allowing 10 earned runs in 8.1 innings pitched for a 10.80 ERA.
He was then designated for assignment, went back to free agency and joined the Pittsburgh Pirates on a minor league deal.
More news: Yankees Pitcher Has 3-Word Response to 5th Inning World Series Meltdown vs Dodgers
Woodford ended up making seven appearances and five starts with the Pirates in 2024, sporting a 7.09 ERA over 26.2 innings pitched. He then went back to free agency, where he signed a minor league deal with the Colorado Rockies over the offseason.
In March, he exercised his opt-out clause with the Rockies and joined the Yankees, also on a minor league pact. Now, he's going back to free agency yet again, this time likely in search of an opportunity that could lead him back to the majors.
Across 89 career appearances (25 starts), Woodford has gone 10-13 with a 4.88 ERA over 219.2 innings pitched. He has 145 strikeouts and a WHIP of 1.41.
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