Major League Baseball

Injured pitcher David Aardsma joins Yankees

Published Feb. 22, 2012 7:26 p.m. ET

foxsports

Injured pitcher David Aardsma has agreed to a $500,000, one-year contract with the New York Yankees.

The 30-year-old missed all of 2011. He started the season on the disabled list following surgery on the labrum of his left hip on Jan. 3 last year, felt arm soreness during a rehabilitation assignment at Triple-A Tacoma from April 19-29, then had elbow-ligament replacement surgery in July.

''He's someone with a lot of ability that we feel will be a benefit for us in the long run,'' New York general manager Brian Cashman said. ''Maybe it's more 2013, there's an outside chance in 2012.''

Selected by Colorado with the 22nd pick of the 2003 amateur draft, Aardsma is 13-15 with a 4.20 ERA in 254 relief appearances over six seasons.

To clear a roster spot, the Yankees put left-hander Pedro Feliciano on the 60-day disabled list.

Cashman said he talked with Aardsma throughout the offseason and the signing is not related to the possible retirement of closer Mariano Rivera after this season.

Rivera gave hints on Monday that 2012 will be is final year and added that he won't announce his long-term plans until possibly in October. He spent time playing catch with his kids after Wednesday's workout - another sign this could be his final season.

New York captain Derek Jeter told reporters Wednesday he knows what Rivera's decision is but declined to share it.

Aardsma is scheduled to join Yankees' spring training camp on Monday.

''It's an R-and-D move, research and development that we feel might have a nice payoff,'' Cashman said. ''Nothing ventured, nothing gained.''

Cashman said the deal also includes a club option for 2013.