No harm in getting some experience in the back end of the bullpen at a low cost. Not to mention, the signing — Rafael Montero — saw an uptick in his production during the second half of 2025 with the Detroit Tigers. RailRiders released RHP Rafael Montero. — Yankees Prospect Watch (@NYY_Prospects) August 11, 2026Yankees' Triple-A affiliate releases veteran reliever Rafael Montero as bullpen help thinsWe've discussed, at length, the Yankees' problematic trade deadline that featured no pitching additions. Montero's release isn't anything to rage about, but it's important to remember very few of the Yankees' moves at the margins have worked.