Yankees Release Gio Gonzalez; Mets Reportedly Interested In Lefty

The Yankees have parted ways with Gio Gonzalez. Will he head to Citi Field next?

The left-handed pitcher exercised the opt-out clause on his contract Saturday, giving the Yankees 48 hours to either promote him to their major league roster or release him. The team elected to do the latter.

Starting the season without Luis Severino and CC Sabathia, the Yankees signed Gonzalez, 33, to a minor league deal last month to provide more rotation depth. The contract included a clause that allowed him to opt out if he wasn't on the big league roster by April 20.

SNY's Andy Martino reported Monday that the Mets are more intrigued by Gonzalez now than they were during the offseason, but he added that Brewers are also interested in him.

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The Mets' rotation has been a surprising weakness this season -- their 5.64 ERA among starting pitchers ranks last in the National League. Steven Matz (4.96 ERA), Noah Syndergaard (5.90), Zack Wheeler (6.35) and Jason Vargas (9.58) have all struggled, and Jacob deGrom is currently on the injured list with soreness in his throwing arm.

In three starts with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre this season, Gonzalez was 2-1 with a 6.00 ERA. 

He went 10-11 last season with a 4.21 ERA for the Nationals and Brewers. He's a two-time All-Star who began his career with the A's in 2008. His best season came in 2012 with Washington, when he went 21-8 with a 2.89 ERA.