The Yankees announced that has rejoined the team on a new Major League contract, and the veteran righty has been selected to the clubs active roster. In the corresponding move, right-hander was designated for a signment. Bickford first joined the Yankees on a minor league deal back in April, and after that contract was selected to the big league roster in late June, Bickford posted an ungainly 14.40 ERA in five innings over five appearances before New York designated him for a signment. Upon clearing waivers in July, Bickford opted for free agency rather than accepting an outright a signment to Triple-A, and hell now head back to the Bronx after a little le s than eight weeks on the open Rodney McGruder Jersey market. A veteran of five Major League seasons, Bickfords high point was the 2.81 ERA he posted over 51 1/3 relief innings for the Brewers and Dodger in 2021. Since that season, Bickford has a 5.20 ERA in 133 1/3 innings with the Dodgers, Mets, and Yankees, along with a 25.3% strikeout rate and 9.3% walk rate. There isnt much to like about Bickfords recent MLB track record, but he did pitch quite well at the Yankees Triple-A affiliate this season, so the club had enough comfort in Bickford to sign him to a guaranteed deal. Bickford is out of minor league options, and thus would have to be designated for a signment if New York wanted to move him down to Triple-A again. On the surface, replacing Tonkin with Bickford seems like a curious move since Tonkin has a 3.38 ERA, 24.6% strikeout rate, and 9.1% walk rate in 56 relief innings for the New York bullpen this season. While the overall numbers are solid, however, Tonkin has a 9.39 ERA in his last 7 2/3 innings, and has been charged with multiple runs in three of his last five appearances. This includes two runs allowed over 1 2/3 innings in yesterdays 9-2 Yankees lo s to the Rockies, so todays transaction could be a way to get Bickfords fresher arm into the bullpen. Tonkin is also out of minor league options, which relates to the transactional carousel that has largely defined his 2024 season. He signed a $1MM split contract with the Mets in the offsesason, then went to the Twins (his original MLB team) after being DFAed in April, but was claimed back by the Mets shortly thereafter when Minnesota also designated Tonkin. He hit the waiver wire yet again le s than a week later and was claimed by the Yankees, and Tonkin then achieved some stability with an extended stretch of time in the Bronx bullpen before now again entering DFA limbo. If he clears waivers, Tonkin can elect free agency in lieu of accepting an outright a signment to Triple-A, but he would have to give up the remainder of his guaranteed salary. Mason Plumlee Jersey