BOSTON -- The Yankees announced the signing of left-handed reliever Tommy Layne on Tuesday, and manager Joe Girardi is hoping to put the southpaw to good use against his old club over the coming days.
Layne, who was released by Boston on Saturday after three seasons with the club, was in a New York uniform prior to his new team's three-game set at Fenway Park.
"Tommy Layne is a guy that we've seen, and that's been a left-handed specialist more than anything, and it's kind of how I'll use him," said Girardi. "You look at the way their lineup is set up, I think there's a good chance we're going to see him in this series."
The 31-year-old Layne, who made 34 appearances with Boston this season, could be called upon this series to face the middle of the Red Sox's order, where familiar faces the likes of left-handed batters David Ortiz, Jackie Bradley Jr. and Travis Shaw reside.
To make room on the roster, the Yankees optioned pitcher Richard Bleier to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes Barre.
In his three seasons with Boston, Layne was 4-3 with a 3.30 ERA over 95 1/3 relief innings. Prior to that, he went 2-2 with a 2.84 ERA over 25 1/3 innings during two seasons with the San Diego Padres.