Yankees Sign Yerry Rodriguez to Two-Year Minor League Deal

The New York Yankees just made a long-term bullpen play, signing right-handed reliever Yerry Rodriguez to a two-year minor league contract. Fans won’t see the 28-year-old on the mound for a while since he’s recovering from Tommy John surgery.

This move fits the Yankees’ style—grab high-upside arms, stash them, and see what happens. Rodriguez could become a real bullpen piece by midseason in 2026, assuming his rehab stays on track.

Yankees Bet on Rehab and Upside

MLB.com’s transaction log shows the Yankees structured Rodriguez’s deal to give him and the team time for a full recovery. His agent, Kelvin Nova, said the surgery happened during spring training earlier this year.

Rodriguez won’t be in the Opening Day conversation for 2025. The Yankees know they’re waiting this one out.

Target Return: Mid-2026

Rodriguez is aiming to return to game action by the middle of 2026. That could give New York a fresh bullpen arm just as the season heats up.

He’ll need a full spring training in 2027 to really show if this gamble pays off. That’s a long wait, but the Yankees seem comfortable with it.

Major League Challenges

Rodriguez has already felt the grind of the majors, pitching in parts of three seasons with the Texas Rangers and Toronto Blue Jays. His 8.17 ERA over 36 1/3 innings shows he’s had trouble with command and keeping the ball in the yard.

Where the Trouble Came From

Walks and home runs have haunted his big league outings. Even with some bad batted-ball luck, free passes and long balls can wreck a reliever’s numbers fast.

Minor League Excellence

In the minors, Rodriguez’s story looks a lot better. Over eight seasons, he’s posted a 3.56 ERA and a strong 27.8% strikeout rate.

His walk rate is 8.8% overall, but it jumps to 12% in Triple-A. Clearly, there’s still work to do before he’s ready for top-tier hitters.

Pitch Arsenal and Velocity

Rodriguez brings real power. His fastball averages 96.7 mph, which can play late in games.

He mixes in an 84 mph slider and an 86 mph changeup. That combo has worked in Triple-A, where he’s kept a 47.5% ground-ball rate, though he hasn’t matched that in the majors yet.

Projection for the Yankees

The Yankees are betting that, with good rehab, Rodriguez’s stuff will finally play in the big leagues. The two-year minor league deal gives them time and control, plus a shot at a cheap bullpen weapon.

Possible Role in 2026 and Beyond

If Rodriguez gets healthy, he could land in a middle or late relief spot by mid-2026. He’s got strikeout stuff and a live fastball, plus off-speed pitches to keep hitters honest.

But can he cut down the walks and keep the ball in the park against the best? That’s the real test.

Key Takeaways for Yankees Fans

This signing won’t make headlines. Still, it’s the kind of move that could really pay off down the road.

Fans will need patience with this one. The payoff’s at least two years away, maybe longer.

• Rodriguez is recovering from Tommy John surgery. He’s aiming for a mid-2026 return.
• He’s posted an 8.17 ERA over 36 1/3 MLB innings with the Rangers and Blue Jays.
• In the minors, he’s got a 3.56 ERA and racks up strikeouts.
• His fastball hits 96.7 mph. He also throws a solid slider and changeup.
• The Yankees expect him to compete in spring training 2027.

The modern game leans hard on bullpen depth and velocity. Yerry Rodriguez feels like a low-risk, high-upside play for New York.

If the Yankees can help him sharpen his command and keep his stuff after surgery, maybe he becomes a late-inning weapon. That’s the dream, anyway.

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Here is the source article for this story: Yankees, Yerry Rodriguez Agree To Minor League Deal