ESPN: The Yankees use a waiver claim to bring back a former top-ranked pitcher.

The Yankees have welcomed back Roansy Contreras.

On Thursday, his previous team grabbed the former homegrown top prospect off waivers.

Earlier this month, the Orioles designated 25-year-old Contreras for assignment. Unable to settle down, he has been moving around with a few different organizations this offseason. The Rangers and Reds both cut him.

On Friday, four years ago, the Yankees acquired starter Jameson Taillon from the Pirates with a package of prospects that included Contreras. The right-hander was among the Yankees’ top-ranked pitchers in the development system at the time. Prior to that trade to Pittsburgh, Contreras has played for no other team since he was signed by the Yankees in 2016 out of the Dominican Republic.

Contreras hasn’t been able to realize his potential in the major leagues since he started out strong with the Pirates, improving his status when he made his maiden ascent to Triple-A.

In 2022, Contreras pitched nearly solely as a starter in a small sample, with a 3.79 ERA with Pittsburgh. In 68 appearances over the next two seasons, he recorded a 5.47 ERA in the major leagues. This includes 37 games with the Angels this past summer. Contreras was selected by Los Angeles following his assignment designation by the Pirates in May of last year.

With their reputation for bringing forth the best in all types of pitchers, the Yankees could be able to help Contreras develop this spring. Perhaps he will be the next reclamation project to succeed in pinstripes and earn playing time in the major leagues. However, he has no choices in the lesser leagues. Contreras will therefore either be on the move once more, either traded away or designated for assignment, or he will need to make the Opening Day roster, which currently seems unlikely.

Contreras isn’t the only pitcher the Yankees claimed off waivers on Thursday. Allan Winans, a former Braves starter, was also snatched off the wire. As of Thursday night, the Yankees have 39 players on their 40-man roster after adding Contreras and Winans.