Yankees' Johnny Barbato: Signed to major league contract

Barbato was signed to a major league contract Friday.

Barbato split time between Double-A and Triple-A in 2015, working to a minuscule 0.36 ERA with 26 strikeouts in 25 innings at Triple-A. The 23-year-old could appear in the majors at some point in 2016, but the move was more likely done to protect him from the Rule 5 draft.