Yankees Sign Rafael Montero to Minor League Deal

The New York Yankees have signed veteran right-handed reliever Rafael Montero to a minor league contract with an invitation to major league Spring Training camp, bolstering their bullpen depth as they prepare for the 2026 season. The 35-year-old Montero, who enters his 12th major league season, will receive a $500,000 signing bonus and stand to earn $1.8 million if he secures a spot on the active roster.

Montero brings a wealth of experience to a Yankees bullpen that struggled with consistency during the 2025 campaign, contributing to the team's overall postseason shortcomings. Last season, he appeared in 59 games across three teams, posting a 4.48 earned run average over 60 1/3 innings while striking out 50 batters. His performance varied: he began the year with the Houston Astros, where he completed the final year of a three-year deal before being traded to the Atlanta Braves in April. The Braves later dealt him to the Detroit Tigers at the trade deadline, where he finished strong with a 2.86 ERA in 20 outings. However, Montero issued walks at a high rate, nearly 15 percent of batters faced, a persistent issue in his career despite improved command during his standout 2022...