Yankees Release 4 Minor League Pitchers

The moves come at the end of the opening weekend of the 2026 MLB season.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 1:51am

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The New York Yankees have released four minor league pitchers - Mason Vinyard, Cole Zaffiro, Gus Hughes, and Alexis Paulino - as they shape their organizational roster at the end of the opening weekend of the 2026 MLB season. The four pitchers were previously assigned to the Yankees' minor league affiliates.

Why it matters

Player roster moves at the start of the season are common as MLB teams finalize their minor league systems. The Yankees' releases of these four pitchers indicate they are making room for other prospects or free agent signings as they look to build organizational depth.

The details

The four pitchers released were all right-handed and had varying levels of experience in the Yankees' minor league system. Mason Vinyard and Cole Zaffiro were undrafted free agents, while Gus Hughes was an 18th-round pick in 2024. Alexis Paulino never made it past the Florida Complex League. None of the four were considered top prospects, with their highest levels of play being Double-A for Vinyard and Single-A for the others.

  • The releases came at the end of the opening weekend of the 2026 MLB season.

The players

Mason Vinyard

A 26-year-old right-handed pitcher who reached as high as Double-A Somerset in the Yankees' system, posting a 4.05 ERA.

Cole Zaffiro

An undrafted right-handed pitcher who had a 4.42 ERA at Single-A Tampa in 2025.

Gus Hughes

An 18th-round pick in 2024 who pitched at Single-A Tampa in 2025, putting up a 3.80 ERA.

Alexis Paulino

A right-handed pitcher who never made it out of the Yankees' Florida Complex League.

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The takeaway

These minor roster moves by the Yankees at the start of the season are common as they finalize their minor league system. While none of the released pitchers were considered top prospects, the moves open up roster spots for the organization to potentially sign free agents or promote other minor leaguers.