Yankees boost pitching depth with latest signing

The New York Yankees have signed right-hander Peter Strzelecki to a minor league contract and assigned him to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reported Saturday. The 31-year-old reliever joins New York after a short run with the Milwaukee Brewers earlier this season.

Strzelecki opened 2026 with Triple-A Nashville after signing a minor league deal with the Brewers in February. He made 16 appearances for Nashville, recording a 4.12 ERA while allowing 10 runs, nine earned, across 19.2 innings. Milwaukee selected his contract to the major league roster on May 16, but designated him for assignment one day later before he appeared in a game.

After clearing waivers, Strzelecki elected free agency because he had previously been outrighted during his career. His stay on the open market lasted only briefly before the Yankees added him as bullpen depth at Triple-A.

Although he has not pitched in the majors since 2024, Strzelecki was effective during his most recent MLB action with the Cleveland Guardians. In 11 appearances that season, he finished with a 2.31 ERA with nine strikeouts over 11.2 innings.

Across 77 career major league games with the Brewers, Arizona Diamondbacks, and Guardians, Strzelecki owns a 3.44 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, and 86 strikeouts in 83.2 innings. He has also produced a 24 percent strikeout rate and an 8.4 percent walk rate during his MLB career, along with one save.

Strzelecki, who was born in Queens before growing up in Florida, gives New York additional experienced relief depth. However, roster flexibility remains a challenge because he is out of minor league options, meaning the Yankees would need to designate Strzelecki for assignment before attempting to send him back to the minors if he reaches the major league roster later this season.