Yankees bring in veteran reliever Rafael Montero on minor league deal

TAMPA — The Yankees have found another flier for their bullpen, agreeing to a minor league contract with Rafael Montero.

A source confirmed the deal, which will pay the veteran reliever $1.85 million if he’s in the majors, to the Daily News on Friday morning as Montero prepared to play catch and undergo a physical at George M. Steinbrenner Field.

The pact also comes with $500,000 in innings-based incentives.

Z101 Digital’s Héctor Gómez first reported Montero’s deal with the Yankees.

Montero, 35, spent the 2025 season with the Astros, Braves and Tigers. He posted a 4.48 ERA over 59 games, but he lowered that number to 2.86 over his final 22 innings with Detroit.

Montero’s .204 expected batting average against ranked in the 88th percentile, and his 31.1 Chase% ranked in the 81st percentile. He also has a 29.3 Whiff%, which ranked in the 78th percentile, though his 22.9 K% fell in the middle of the pack.

Meanwhile, Montero’s 14.6 BB% was the third-highest of any pitcher who threw at least 60 innings last season.

“Experience,” Yankees pitching coach Matt Blake said of what the Yankees like about Montero. “Obviously, he’s been a good major league reliever, so hopefully he can provide us something, but we’ll see.”

An 11-year pro, Montero began his career as a hyped Mets prospect, and he pitched in Queens from 2014-2017 while splitting time between the rotation and bullpen. He’s pitched exclusively in relief since, and has also spent time with Texas and Seattle.

Montero owns a 4.68 ERA and 30 saves for his career.

A member of the Astros’ championship team in 2022, Montero will now try to crack a Yankees bullpen that is short on sure things. Several others are competing for spots in a pen that features David Bednar, Camilo Doval, Fernando Cruz and Tim Hill at the top, including Paul Blackburn, Jake Bird, Brent Headrick, Angel Chivilli, Yerry De los Santos and Cade Winquest.

WINQUEST’S NEW PITCH

Winquest, the Yankees’ first Rule 5 Draft pick in 14 years, told The News that he has added a sinker to a repertoire that already included a 100-mph fastball and a 12-6 curveball. The right-hander said that he’s happy with the development of his new offering, which was inspired by some consultations with pitching coach Matt Blake and the Yankees’ pitching department.

On Thursday, Aaron Boone talked up Winquest’s big arm after the 25-year-old threw a bullpen.

“He’s going to get a real opportunity this spring to kind of showcase and let us see him,” the manager said.

Here's a look at Rule 5 Draft pick Cade Winquest.

The bullpen hopeful told me that he's added a sinker to his arsenal and is happy with the pitch's development thus far. #Yankees pic.twitter.com/pllyv1foeQ

— Gary Phillips (@GaryHPhillips) February 12, 2026

ROVING ROSARIO AND THE MARTIAN

Utilityman Amed Rosario, re-signed because his bat is a weapon against left-handers, took some reps in right field alongside Aaron Judge on Thursday. That’s not entirely surprising — the defensively-limited utilityman has played the outfield before — but it was noteworthy with Jasson Domínguez in limbo.

Right now, the Yankees’ projected bench includes Rosario, first baseman Paul Goldschmidt and catcher J.C. Escarra. That would leave one spot for Domínguez or Oswaldo Cabrera, who both have minor league options.

Domínguez would be the Yankees’ fourth outfielder if he makes the team, but he’s an imperfect fit for that role because he only plays left, and not particularly well. The switch-hitter hasn’t shown he’s a threat from the right side, either, and the Yankees’ lineup is loaded with lefties.

Cabrera, meanwhile, projects as the backup shortstop and can play all over the diamond. He and Rosario could assume backup outfield duties in the corners if Domínguez doesn’t make the team.

While Rosario is mostly expected to play third and can also handle second, Boone noted that the outfield “has gotta be in play” for the veteran. He also said that Rosario will still get work at first base, even though there is “probably less of a need” now that Goldschmidt is back.

The Yankees’ officially announced Goldschmidt’s signing on Thursday and placed Clarke Schmidt (Tommy John surgery) on the 60-day injured list in a corresponding move.

PLANNING FOR ABS

The Yankees had their first of what is sure to be a few meetings regarding Major League Baseball’s implementation of the automated ball-strike (ABS) challenge system on Thursday. Afterward, Boone said that all of his players are free to challenge for now, but don’t be surprised if that list shrinks once spring training games end.

Boone said he is most comfortable letting his catchers challenge, followed by hitters, generally speaking. He noted that he is less comfortable with pitchers challenging, but he’s not ready to forbid it.

“We’re trying to figure out the strategy that we want to use as an organization,” Max Fried said. “I guess I’m gonna have to really pay attention here in spring training and see if my eyes are as good as I think they are.”

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