Eric Christian Yardley (born August 18, 1990) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the San Diego Padres and Milwaukee Brewers.

Eric Yardley
Pitcher
Born: (1990-08-18) August 18, 1990 (age 34)
Richland, Washington, U.S.
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
MLB debut
August 21, 2019, for the San Diego Padres
Last MLB appearance
June 17, 2021, for the Milwaukee Brewers
MLB statistics
Win–loss record2–1
Earned run average3.52
Strikeouts31
Teams

Career

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Early career

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Yardley attended Richland High School in Richland, Washington.[1] He attended Seattle University and played college baseball for the Redhawks for four seasons (2010-2013).[2]

Yardley was undrafted out of college in 2013, and played for the Taos Blizzard and the Trinidad Triggers of the independent Pecos League.[3]

San Diego Padres

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Yardley signed a minor league contract with the San Diego Padres on July 21, 2013.[4] He played for the AZL Padres in 2013, going 2–0 with a 1.89 ERA in 19 innings.[5] He split the 2014 season between the Fort Wayne TinCaps and the San Antonio Missions, combining to go 2–4 with a 2.95 ERA in 65 innings.[5] He split the 2015 season between the Lake Elsinore Storm and San Antonio, combining to go 2–5 with a 2.97 ERA in 66+23 innings.[5] Following the 2015 season, Yardley played for the Peoria Javelinas of the Arizona Fall League.[6]

Yardley split the 2016, 2017, and 2018 seasons each between San Antonio and the El Paso Chihuahuas. He combined to go 3–2 with a 2.93 ERA over 70+23 innings in 2016, 3–2 with a 2.05 ERA over 70 innings in 2017, and 5–4 with a 4.13 ERA over 60+13 innings in 2018.[5] He opened the 2019 season back with El Paso, going 0–2 with a 2.83 ERA and 52 strikeouts over 63+23 innings.[5]

On August 21, 2019, the Padres selected Yardley's contract and promoted him to the major leagues.[7] He made his major league debut that day versus the Cincinnati Reds, allowing three runs (one earned) in a 13 of an inning and suffering the loss.[8] In 10 games for the Padres, Yardley went 0–1 with a 2.31 ERA and 7 strikeouts in 11+23 innings. Yardley was designated for assignment on November 4, 2019.

Milwaukee Brewers

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On November 15, 2019, Yardley was claimed off waivers by the Milwaukee Brewers.[9] Yardley enjoyed a great year for the Brewers in 2020, pitching to a 2-0 record and a 1.54 ERA with 19 strikeouts in 23.1 innings of work.[10] Yardley was not quite as successful in 2021, struggling to a 6.75 ERA in 17 appearances with the Brewers. On November 5, 2021, Yardley was outrighted off of the 40-man roster[11] and elected free agency.[12]

Chicago Cubs

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On January 25, 2022, Yardley signed a minor league contract with the Chicago Cubs.[13] Yardley struggled immensely to the tune of a 17.36 ERA in 5 appearances for the Triple-A Iowa Cubs before he was released on May 2.[14]

Toronto Blue Jays

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On May 25, 2022, Yardley signed a minor league contract with the Toronto Blue Jays organization and was assigned to the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons.[15] In 32 appearances with Buffalo, Yardley registered a 3-2 record and 4.13 ERA with 31 strikeouts in 32.2 innings pitched. He elected free agency on November 10, 2022.

Arizona Diamondbacks

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On January 25, 2023, Yardley signed a minor league contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks organization.[16] Yardley was released by the organization on March 24.[17]

Coaching career

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On December 22, 2023, Yardley was hired by the Toronto Blue Jays to serve as an assistant pitching coach for their Double–A affiliate, the New Hampshire Fisher Cats.[18] He was named as the bullpen coach for the 2024 season.

Personal life

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Yardley is married to Tia Yardley.[19]

References

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  1. ^ "Richland's Yardley signs with Padres". Tri-City Herald. July 18, 2013. Retrieved August 21, 2019.
  2. ^ Seattle University (July 18, 2013). "Eric Yardley Signed by San Diego Padres". goseattleu.com. Retrieved August 21, 2019.
  3. ^ Noah Hilton (January 1, 2017). "Eric Yardley Interview: Opportunity in Every Difficulty". East Village Times. Retrieved August 21, 2019.
  4. ^ "Padres' prospect Yardley is embracing opportunities". Fox Sports San Diego. July 14, 2017. Retrieved August 21, 2019.
  5. ^ a b c d e "Eric Yardley Player Page". MLB.com. Retrieved August 21, 2019.
  6. ^ "Former Trinidad Trigger Eric Yardley excelling in Arizona Fall League". pecosleague.com. November 9, 2015. Retrieved August 21, 2019.
  7. ^ Kevin Acee (August 21, 2019). "Eric Yardley fulfills dream, looks to earn job with Padres". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved August 22, 2019.
  8. ^ Pete (August 21, 2019). "Richland grad called-up to the big leagues". Newstalk AM 870 KFLD. Retrieved August 22, 2019.
  9. ^ Jeff Sanders (November 15, 2019). "Padres' Jacob Nix outrighted to Triple-A El Paso; Eric Yardley claimed". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved November 15, 2019.
  10. ^ "Milwaukee Brewers 2020 Season Report Card: Eric Yardley". October 26, 2020.
  11. ^ "Brewers' Eric Yardley: Outrighted to Triple-A".
  12. ^ "Eric Yardley: Elects free agency".
  13. ^ "Cubs' Eric Yardley: Joins North Siders".
  14. ^ "Cubs Release Two Arms from the Iowa Bullpen as the Minor League Shuffle is Underway".
  15. ^ "Report: Jays ink RHP Yardley to minor-league deal". TSN.ca. May 25, 2022. Retrieved May 27, 2022.
  16. ^ "Eric Yardley Stats, Fantasy & News".
  17. ^ "Transactions".
  18. ^ "Blue Jays add ex-MLB pitcher to minor league coaching staff". jaysjournal.com. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
  19. ^ "Eric Yardley #57". MLB.com. Retrieved December 15, 2020.
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