Overview

• Rob Brantly, 36, signed a minor-league contract with the Yankees and was assigned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on August 12.
• Austin Wells, J.C. Escarra and Ben Rice remain atop the major-league catching hierarchy, with Brantly providing depth at Triple-A.
• His signing addresses a gap in upper-minors depth created by trades that sent Rafael Flores and Jesus Rodriguez to secure relievers David Bednar and Camilo Doval.
• Brantly spent most of 2025 with the Miami Marlins organization and missed time on the 60-day injured list with a lat strain before electing free agency.
• The veteran catcher is expected to mentor younger catchers in Triple-A and be available if injuries or further roster moves deplete the depth chart.