On November 25, 2019, Luetge agreed to terms with the Oakland Athletics on a minor league contract that included an invitation to major league spring training.
Due to the COVID-19 epidemic, Luetge was unable to play in a Minor League Baseball game in 2020.
For the whole season, he was part of the Athletics’ 60-man roster but spent the entire year at an alternate location. His contract expired on November 2, 2020, making him a free agent.
The Yankees extended a non-roster invitation to Luetge after he signed a minor league contract for the 2021 season.
Luetge was named to the Yankees’ Opening Day roster on March 31 after a successful spring training that saw him record 18 strikeouts in 10+13 innings of work.
Luetge made his first major league appearance since April 25, 2015 on April 3, 2021 against the Toronto Blue Jays. He compiled a 2.74 ERA in 72+1/3 innings across 57 outings this year.
For the 2022 season, Luetge was added to the Yankees’ bullpen.
Luetge employs a wide range of pitching motions. In addition to his fastball, he throws a four-seam and a two-seam, as well as a sweeping slider in the low 80s, a curveball in the mid-upper 70s, and a changeup.
Despite Luetge’s wide delivery arm angle, left-handed batters only hit.105 off of him in his first 13 appearances of the 2012 season, while right-handed batters hit .308 off of him.
How Did The Yankees Get Lucas Luetge?
Luetge was signed to a minor league contract by the Yankees before the 2021 season, and he made the team after a strong spring training.