Yankees acquire lefty Caleb Ferguson from Dodgers to bolster bullpen

The Yankees again bolstered their bullpen via the Los Angeles Dodgers.

They announced the acquisition of lefthander Caleb Ferguson on Monday in exchange for lefthander Matt Gage and minor-league righthander Christian Zazueta.

As of now, the 27-year-old Ferguson is likely to slot into the bullpen as the second lefthander, joining Victor Gonzalez, who was acquired from the Dodgers in a December trade.

The Yankees had claimed Gage off waivers from the Astros a little more than a week ago.

Ferguson, taken by the Dodgers in the 38th round of the 2014 draft, went 7-4 with three saves, a 3.43 ERA and a less-than-impressive 1.44 WHIP in a career-high 68 appearances last season. He also set career highs in innings (60 1⁄3) and strikeouts (70).

In parts of five major-league seasons with the Dodgers, Ferguson, who did not pitch in 2021 after undergoing Tommy John surgery, is 18-9 with a 3.43 ERA and a 1.29 WHIP in 201 games.

His best season was his first one back after surgery, 2022, when he posted a 1.82 ERA in 37 games He has struck out 10.7 batters per nine innings in his career, with a high of 13.0 in 2020.

The Yankees hope Ferguson and Gonzalez will help offset the loss of lefthander Wandy Peralta, who excelled the last three seasons and recently signed a four-year, $16.5 million free-agent deal with the Padres.

Barring the unforeseen, the pair should be near locks to be in the bullpen at the end of spring training, joining Clay Holmes, Jonathan Loaisiga, Tommy Kahnle and Ian Hamilton.

Luke Weaver, signed to a one-year, $2 million deal that includes a team option for 2025, and Scott Effross, who missed all of 2023 after undergoing Tommy John surgery, also are likely to leave camp with the club.

By Erik Boland

erik.boland@newsday.comeboland11

Erik Boland started in Newsday's sports department in 2002. He covered high school and college sports, then shifted to the Jets beat. He has covered the Yankees since 2009.