Blackburn, 31, is a former All-Star honoree who was released earlier this week by the New York Mets. In seven appearances (four of them starts) this season, he had compiled a 6.85 ERA (59 ERA+) and a 2.25 strikeout-to-walk ratio. His contributions were estimated by Baseball Reference to have been below the replacement-level boundary.

NEW YORK -- A week after his final appearance with the New York Mets, right-hander Paul Blackburn signed with the Yankees on Thursday to provide bullpen depth for the AL wild-card leaders.

The New York Yankees announced on Wednesday that they have signed right-handed pitcher Paul Blackburn to a major league contract and added him to their active roster. To make room on the roster, the Yankees optioned right-hander Allan Winans to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.