Yankees RHP Yajure introduces last remaining digits into MLB play
September 1st, 2020
There are no more new baseball jersey numbers under the sun -- the last unused Major League uniform number has been taken.
The Yankees called up Miguel Yajure on Aug. 20 and issued him No. 89 -- the only number left from 0 to 99 that had never been worn in a Major League Baseball regular-season game. Yajure made his Major League debut for New York on Aug. 31, meaning every number has now appeared on a big league diamond.
The 2020 season began with three never-before-used jersey numbers, according to Baseball Reference's register: 86, 89 and 92.
The Cardinals checked two of those off the list. Reliever Génesis Cabrera wore No. 92 for the first time in MLB history when he took the mound on Aug. 15, and reliever Jesus Cruz wore No. 86 when he pitched three nights later. Cruz won an unofficial race for 86 with Marlins lefty Brandon Leibrandt, who also has the number but didn't debut until Aug. 23.
That left only No. 89 for Yajure, who has now completed the circle of Major League uni numbers. He pitched three hitless innings in his scoreless debut, striking out two Rays while walking three.
