The New York Yankees have signed veteran right-hander Paul Blackburn to a big-league contract, the team announced on Thursday afternoon. Blackburn has been added to the major-league roster, with the Yankees clearing a roster spot for him by optioning fellow right-handed pitcher Allan Winans to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

The Mets traded for Blackburn at the deadline last year, but his season was cut short by a right hand contusion and a spinal fluid leak. The Mets re-signed him to a one-year, $4.05 million contract in the offseason, but he battled right knee inflammation and did not make his season debut until June 2.

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 American League wild-card leaders. Blackburn was originally supposed to be with the Yankees for Wednesday's game against the Rays at Steinbrenner Field but encountered extensive flight delays in Texas after flying in from Idaho.