Ryan Yarbrough is about to experience a reunion of sorts with his baseball past, as he takes the mound for the Yankees against none other than his former team, the Los Angeles Dodgers, this weekend. But this isn't just any ordinary game.
Adding a dash of intrigue to that matchup, the Dodgers will be presenting him with a World Series ring. It's an ironic twist for Yarbrough, considering he was part of the Dodgers' roster before being designated for assignment and eventually finding a new home with the Yankees.
For Yarbrough, who played for the Dodgers during the 2023 and 2024 seasons, the ring symbolizes the collective effort of a team he once called his own. Despite having been part of that victorious squad, circumstances meant he wasn't there at the finish line when the Dodgers clinched the title.
As he puts it, "I was happy for them from being a part of that team and everything we had done. But it was also a little bittersweet since I got moved away at the deadline."
When Yarbrough was sent to the Blue Jays last July, he left behind a decent track record with the Dodgers—a 3.74 ERA over 67 1/3 innings in 32 bullpen appearances. Watching from afar as the Dodgers celebrated their triumph was a peculiar experience for him.
This spring, following his release by the Blue Jays, he found himself donning the pinstripes of the Yankees, stepping into a starting role when injuries demanded it. He performed admirably, posting a stellar 2.25 ERA across four starts, with 19 strikeouts in 20 innings.
His journey from the Dodgers to the Yankees has been unusual, and Yarbrough's reception of the World Series ring fits right into that narrative. He plans to stash it away quietly, shying away from drawing attention to a reminder of the series loss his current team, the Yankees, endured against the Dodgers. It's a keepsake to be admired with a touch of nostalgia and a hint of what could have been.
Yarbrough has said he's willing to show the ring to curious teammates, but his focus is firmly on the present and the task at hand with the Yankees. This weekend, when he faces the Dodgers on Sunday Night Baseball, it'll be more than just about the game. It will be a moment of reflection on his career's path, a reminder of the camaraderie and challenges that make baseball the grand spectacle it is.
As Yarbrough steps onto the field this weekend, he's not just a pitcher with a new team—he's a testament to the twists and turns of a major league career, poised to face the very team that helped shape his journey. And with the Yankees seeking their 28th championship, every game, including this one, is another step in a long and storied chase.
