NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) – The New York Yankees officially announced the signing of Derek Lowe this afternoon.  Lowe has been placed on the Yankees’ 25-man roster and Ryota Igarashi has been demoted.

The Yankeees announced that Igarashi has been sent to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Before joining the Yankees, Lowe had a terrible 2012.  Used as a starter by the Cleveland Indians, Lowe struggled mightily this season.  Through 21 starts, Lowe compiled an 8-10 record with an ERA of 5.512.

The Yankees are expected to use Lowe out of the bullpen.  He hasn’t been used primarily as a reliever since 2001, before the Boston Red Sox converted him to a full-time start in 2002.

Lowe is the latest member of the 2004 curse-breaking Red Sox team to pull on the pinstripes.  Johnny Damon enjoyed a successful four-year stay in the Bronx.

Second baseman Mark Bellhorn and lefty reliever Alan Embree were signed by the Yankees after being released by the Red Sox in 2005.  Reliever Ramiro Mendoza briefly re-joined the Yankees in 2005.

Lefty specialist Mike Myers spent two years (2006-07) with the Yankees.  First baseman Doug Mientkiewicz was a member of the 2007 Yankees.  Reliever Scott Williamson signed for the Yankees in 2007, but never made an appearance as a Yankee.

The Yankees are hoping Lowe can recapture his youth and be useful contributor out of the ‘pen.

Will Lowe be a success in pinstripes?  Let us know…