Even having been on four teams over the last four years, Enyel De Los Santos wasn’t expecting to get moved to a fifth before the July 30 trade deadline.
But just four days post-deadline, he joined the Yankees, who acquired him in a deal with San Diego.
“It was a surprise to me,” the 28-year-old said. “You never know where’s going to be your next [team].”
Formerly of the Padres, Guardians, Pirates and Phillies, De Los Santos believes there’s a distinct feel to wearing the Yankees’ iconic home uniform — which he received Friday for the first time since swapping coasts.
“You talk about in baseball, the Yankees franchise and the history behind it. I’ve seen a lot of Yankees-Red Sox games,” the right-hander said. “Very fortunate and happy to have the opportunity today to break in the pinstripes.”
Although he wasn’t as highly touted as deadline pieces such as Jason Adam or Tanner Scott — who both wound up as Padres — the Yankees are excited about how De Los Santos fits in their bullpen.
“I really love the depth that he adds,” manager Aaron Boone said. “Just a good pitcher. Feel like with Jake Cousins, another guy that’s going to be really tough for us on righties. Hopefully, we can get him in good matchups.”
De Los Santos joins a bullpen that ranks 21st in the majors in ERA since June 1 and entered play Friday sitting 21st in strikeouts this season.
The native of the Dominican Republic is open to whatever lanes Boone and the Yankees feel are best.
“At the end of the day, it’s all going to come down to whatever the situation may be, what they need me to go in there and help out,” De Los Santos said. “I’m going to be ready to give everything I have and be able to be a positive impact out there.”
Although De Los Santos posted a 4.46 ERA and 4.41 expected ERA in 44 games with the Padres, he allowed a .296 on-base percentage and .777 OPS against righties, compared to a .346 OBP and 1.012 OPS against lefties.
Another facet of De Los Santos’ game that may bode well: strikeouts.
The reliever ranks in the 92nd percentile in whiff percentage and 85th percentile in strikeouts, erasing 28.2 percent of opposing hitters via punchout.
The Yankees and pitching coach Matt Blake have developed a reputation of pinpointing quality pitches from unsung relievers, including Clay Holmes, Luke Weaver and Michael Tonkin.
The team is hoping De Los Santos — with a four-seam fastball, slider and changeup — could be next in line as a diamond in the rough.
“Hopefully, there’s little tweaks here and there that allow a guy to move the needle and get a little bit better,” Boone said.