Yankees release Gio Gonzalez from minor league contract

Kim Klement-USA TODAY SportsThe Yankees announced that they have released Gio Gonzalez from his minor league contract, making the veteran left-hander a free agent. Gonzalez had signed his deal with the team in March, but exercised an opt-out in the contract two days ago. Now that the Yankees have declined to add him to the 25-man roster, Gonzalez is again free to sign with any other club.

When the Yankees first signed Gonzalez, they quickly indicated that they saw him more as an insurance policy. Domingo German and Jonathan Loaisiga were the first options to take Luis Severino and CC Sabathia’s vacated rotation slots, and only if another need arose would Gonzalez be called upon. True to…