The Yankees added a hard-throwing right-hander to their bullpen Wednesday, trading for Angel Chivilli from the Rockies.
The 23-year-old Chivilli spent parts of the past two seasons in the majors with Colorado, putting up some ugly numbers in 43 appearances in 2025.
But the Yankees are intrigued by Chivilli’s elite velocity, as well as his swing-and-miss stuff and ability to get ground balls, even though that hasn’t translated to success in the majors.
He’ll be in the mix for a bullpen spot after the Yankees lost Luke Weaver and Devin Williams to the Mets in free agency, with David Bednar expected to close in front of Fernando Cruz, Camilo Doval and lefty Tim Hill.
Paul Blackburn, Ryan Yarbrough and Yerry De los Santos also could be in the pen, as well as Jake Bird, who had a miserable stint in The Bronx after coming over from Colorado at the trade deadline last year.
General manager Brian Cashman called the bullpen a “work in progress, with a lot of quality choices,” with more potentially on the way — whether from the minors or outside the organization.
In exchange for Chivilli, who has remaining minor league options and can be sent to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, the Yankees gave up T.J. Rumfield, a 25-year-old first baseman who spent last year with SWB. He was acquired by the Yankees in a small trade with the Phillies in 2021.
Angel Chivilli pitching for the Rockies on Sept. 10, 2025. Getty Images
To make room on the 40-man roster for Chivilli, newly acquired outfielder Michael Siani was designated for assignment.
Right-hander Kaleb Ort, who the Yankees selected off waivers from the Astros earlier this month and later designated for assignment, was claimed by the Angels.
Mario Garza was officially named the Director of International Scouting, replacing Donny Rowland, whose contract wasn’t renewed after last year.
Cashman said Garza’s job is to “relaunch” and “reinvent” the international scouting department.
Garza, 44, has been in the organization since 2011, most recently as the director of baseball development.
Cashman said the Yankees “did an extensive interview process” before landing on a candidate they knew very well.
“He’s already well-versed in all our systems,’’ Cashman said. “That gives him a head start already as we try to relaunch that department and move forward.”
The Yankees haven’t gotten great returns on some of their big-ticket international signings, with Jasson Domínguez failing to win an everyday role in The Bronx and others, like Roderick Arias, stalling in the minors.
“We’re just looking for better outcomes,” Cashman said of Garza’s hiring. “So he’s gonna reinvent that department and we look forward to seeing where it takes us.”
With Cody Bellinger back in left field, Domínguez and prospect Spencer Jones may be on the outside looking in.
“The reality is, it does change,’’ Aaron Boone said of how Bellinger’s presence impacts the pair of prospects. “We’ve got Cody back in the mix and [Trent Grisham] back, that maybe complicates some things for them. But we also know what potentially outstanding players they’re gonna be in this league. We have a long time to go between now and… certainly Opening Day and you never know what’s gonna come down the pike.’’