After achieving dream with Yankees, Manny Banuelos embraces chance to pitch for Pirates

Manny Banuelos achieved a career goal when he appeared in four games for the New York Yankees last month, but the 31-year-old pitcher understood he wasn’t in their long-term plans.

So Banuelos embraced the opportunity to pitch for the Pittsburgh Pirates, who acquired him Sunday in a trade for cash considerations to add a left-hander capable of throwing multiple innings to their bullpen.

“As a player, you just don’t want to be in the big leagues. You want to compete. You want to play,” Banuelos said. “When I was there, I understood what my role was with the bullpen. I feel like being here, I have more chance. I’m happy because I feel healthy and strong. That whole year has been good for me, and I just want to keep doing it and doing it. Here I feel like I’m going to have more chances. Every time they give me that chance to pitch, I’m going to do my best.”

The Pirates added Banuelos to the active roster before Wednesday’s game against the Yankees. They also reinstated right-handed reliever Yerry De Los Santos from the covid-19 injured list. To make room on the 26-man roster for De Los Santos, they optioned lefty Cam Vieaux to Triple-A Indianapolis. To clear space on the 40-man roster for Banuelos, they designated righty reliever Austin Brice for assignment.

“This may surprise you, but we like guys that can throw length and are versatile,” Pirates manager Derek Shelton said. “But when you have a guy that can possibly be a left-on-left guy and can be versatile and extend out, that’s something that’s really intriguing to us.”

After signing with the Yankees for $450,000 as an international free agent from the Mexican League, Banuelos rose to top prospect status in 2012 before undergoing Tommy John surgery. He was traded to the Atlanta Braves in 2015 and made his major-league debut that season but dealt with bone spurs.

Banuelos then bounced around, signing minor-league contracts with the Los Angeles Angels and Dodgers, who traded him to the Chicago White Sox, where he was used as a spot starter.

Banuelos signed with Fubon Guardians of the Chinese Professional Baseball League in 2020, opting out the next season to play for Mexico in the Olympic Games. He signed a minor-league deal with the Yankees in February and started the season at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

“That’s one of the big things: Never give up,” Banuelos said. “We’re here because we love baseball. You’ve got to do everything to just keep going, keep going, and to be in the big leagues is huge. That’s what every player wants, so just learn how to keep it here, keep it at this level.

“I feel like I still have it. That was a really important decision, and that’s when I signed with the Yankees. I’m glad I made it. I’m here. It’s huge for me.”

Banuelos had a 2.35 ERA in 20 innings at Triple-A before recording a 2.16 ERA in 8¹⁄₃ innings over four appearances for the Yankees this season, when he allowed two runs on seven hits and three walks while striking out eight. He was designated for assignment June 28, and the Pirates acquired him after trading Anthony Banda to Toronto.

“He can pitch, so I’m not surprised somebody claimed him,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. “You know, it was great having him here all spring. And, obviously, when we brought him up, he earned that opportunity and is now because of, I think, the work he has done, you know, this spring and early in the first part of this season he’s earned an opportunity with another big league club.

“So happy for that, you know, sad we don’t have him anymore but excited he’s getting this opportunity and he can pitch.”