Yankees release Jacoby Ellsbury: How much did former New York outfielder make?
New York cut the once promising outfielder after signing him to a mega deal in 2013.
The New York Yankees released outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury on Wednesday to make room on the team's 40-man roster.
The Yankees' release marks the end of an injury-filled tenure to a once highly touted outfielder who the team signed to a major deal following his final season with the Boston Red Sox in 2013.
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New York and the one-time All-Star agreed to a seven-year, $153 million deal which also included a buyout option for 2021. He would have been a Yankee through his age-37 season. But constant injuries completely marred Ellsbury's ability to perform for the team.
From 2014 to 2017, Ellsbury appeared in 520 games. He hit .264 with a .716 OPS, 39 home runs and 198 RBI. He did not appear in a single game for the Yankees in 2017 or 2018. He earned $21.1 million in both of those seasons.
In this Aug. 30, 2017, file photo, New York Yankees' Jacoby Ellsbury reacts after grounding out to end the sixth inning in the first game of the baseball team's doubleheader against the Cleveland Indians at Yankee Stadium in New York. (AP Photo/Bill
Ellsbury injured an oblique muscle in his right side in 2018 during spring training. He then developed a bad back and needed surgery on Aug. 6 to repair a torn labrum in his left hip. He experienced plantar fasciitis in his right foot during rehab before spring training this year.
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New York owes Ellsbury $21.1 million for the 2020 season plus the $5 million buyout of a $21 million team option for 2021. Overall, Ellsbury is owed more than $26 million even if he doesn't play a single game for any other team come 2020.
New York also designated Greg Bird and left-handed pitcher Nestor Cortes Jr. for assignment.
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The Yankees added Estevan Florial, Deivi Garcia, Luis Gil, Brooks Kriske, Luis Medina, Nick Nelson and Miguel Yajure to the 40-man roster.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.