Yankees announce signing of former World Series champion pitcher

The New York Yankees have bolstered their bullpen ahead of the 2026 campaign, agreeing to terms with veteran right-hander Rafael Montero, the club announced. Montero, 35, arrives on a low-risk deal that brings a blend of postseason pedigree and swing-and-miss capability to a relief corps that underwent an off-season retool.

A member of the 2022 World Series champion Houston Astros, Montero has spent the better part of a decade working high-leverage innings. His peak came in Houston earlier in the decade, when he thrived as a primary setup option and occasional closer, leaning on a mid-to-upper-90s fastball and a sharp splitter that consistently generated empty swings.

While recent seasons have seen his results fluctuate, the Yankees are banking that a fresh environment and a clearly defined role will restore the righty’s consistency. The organization’s analytics staff has a proven history of tweaking veteran relievers’ pitch usage and sequencing, often coaxing additional strikeouts through data-driven adjustments.

New York’s bullpen remains headlined by elite late-inning arms, but depth became a priority after injuries and heavy workloads exposed cracks down the stretch last year. Montero projects as a middle-to-late inning bridge capable of neutralizing right-handed power bats, a critical skill in the American League East. His postseason résumé also aligns with a clubhouse whose mandate is to play deep into October.

Financial terms were not disclosed, yet the pact is not expected to dent the Yankees’ payroll flexibility. It represents the type of calculated addition contenders make as they stockpile experienced arms before spring training competitions begin.

If Montero can recapture command of his splitter and curb free passes, he could emerge as a key piece in a division race that is already shaping up to be one of baseball’s tightest. He will report to Tampa next month with every opportunity to prove he can still be a difference-maker in the Bronx.