BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – APRIL 29: A view of the New York Yankees logo on a ball bag before the game against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on April 29, 2025 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)
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The New York Yankees have spent much of the 2026 season cycling through pitching depth as injuries and roster needs continue to reshape their bullpen picture. That process has included taking chances on former major league relievers looking to rediscover their careers.
But one of those reclamation projects, which was praised by a Yankees official earlier this season, has evidently come to an end.
Despite flashes of effectiveness at Triple-A, the Yankees have decided to move on from a hard-throwing reliever Dylan Coleman, as command issues ultimately proved too difficult to overcome.
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“Coleman was released by the Yankees on Monday,” Rotowire reported. “Coleman posted a 2.57 ERA over 21 innings at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, but he struggled with his command, resulting in a 26:20 K. He’ll be in search of an opportunity elsewhere after being cut loose Monday.”
While Coleman’s ERA suggested he was capable of limiting damage and his resume includes four big-league seasons with the Kansas City Royals and Houston Astros, his inability to consistently throw strikes remained a significant concern.
Walking nearly a batter per inning evidently made it difficult for the Yankees to envision him helping at the major league level, particularly with the organization needing reliable bullpen options for the stretch run.
The move ends a relatively brief tenure after New York signed Coleman to a minor league contract in hopes its pitching development staff could unlock the talent that once made him a high-leverage option.
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When the Yankees signed Coleman before the season, the upside was easy to understand.
“Any team would be intrigued by triple digits on the radar gun, and there’s no risk for the Yankees in taking a first-hand look at the revamped Coleman, and also seeing what their own pitching development crew can add to his approach,” Mark Polishuk wrote for MLB Trade Rumors when the team first signed the veteran pitcher. “All of the stuff in the world won’t help a pitcher who can’t get the ball over the plate, of course, and it remains to be seen if Coleman’s fixes extend to his extreme control problems of the last few years.”
There were also believers inside the organization. Speaking earlier this season as Coleman sought to make his comeback with the Yankees organization, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre manager Shelley Duncan praised his stuff.
“I see him as a one-inning guy right now, but as he gets comfortable out there, at his best he’s a high-leverage pitcher,” Duncan said, according to Pinstripe Alley’s Scott Walsh. “He’s got really good stuff. I’ve seen him at his best in the big leagues on the other side of the dugout where he’s absolutely filthy. He’s got it in him to be that person again and I look forward to seeing it. He’s a worker.”
At 29 years old, Coleman still possesses the velocity that once made him an intriguing bullpen weapon. His challenge remains turning that premium stuff into consistent strike-throwing, and another organization may decide the upside is worth another opportunity to do that soon.