Yankees exercise Britton's 2022 option, superseding opt-out

Zack Britton will be with the New York Yankees for at least two more years after the club exercised his $14-million team option for the 2022 campaign, the team announced Friday.

If the Yankees didn't pick up Britton's 2022 option, the left-handed reliever would have been eligible to opt out this winter. Instead, he'll be owed $13 million in 2021.

The 32-year-old needed to take over the closer's role for New York early this year, with Aroldis Chapman missing time due to COVID-19. Britton wound up authoring a 1.89 ERA and 2.61 FIP over 19 innings while recording eight saves - his highest single-season total since leaving the Baltimore Orioles.

The report of Britton's option being exercised follows news of the Cleveland Indians placing fellow left-handed reliever Brad Hand on outright waivers. Hand, 30, holds a $10-million team option for 2021.