A 25-year-old right-handed pitcher has elected free agency after spending the 2026 season in the New York Yankees organization.
Alexander Cornielle, born Aug. 22, 2001, in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, became a free agent Monday, according to the transactions log on MiLB.com.
“RHP Alexander Cornielle elected free agency,” the log stated.
The Yankees designated Cornielle for assignment on Sept. 29. He cleared waivers and was sent outright to the Florida Complex League Yankees on Oct. 1 before choosing free agency.
Cornielle originally signed a minor-league contract with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2019 as an international free agent. He remained in the Brewers system through the 2025 season.
After electing free agency following the 2025 campaign, he signed a minor-league deal with the Yankees on Dec. 17, 2025.
He made his major-league debut with New York on Sept. 25 in the second game of a doubleheader against the Baltimore Orioles. In one inning of relief, Cornielle allowed two earned runs on three hits and one walk while striking out two.
His first strikeout came against Rece Hinds. He surrendered a home run to Coby Mayo on his second pitch of the outing.
At Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre this year, Cornielle posted a 3.10 ERA with 74 strikeouts and 41 walks over 72 2/3 innings. He worked primarily as a starter.
Across all levels in 2026, he went 5-6 with a 3.39 ERA in 85 innings while striking out 89. Cornielle earned International League Pitcher of the Month honors for August.
Over his minor-league career, the right-hander has a 31-33 record with a 3.91 ERA, 623 strikeouts and 273 walks in 579 1/3 innings.
The Yankees finished the 2026 regular season with a 93-68 record. They placed second in the American League East, 4 1/2 games behind the Tampa Bay Rays, and secured the top American League wild-card spot.
New York swept the Boston Red Sox 2-0 in the American League Wild Card Series. The Rays then swept the Yankees 3-0 in the American League Division Series.
Cornielle’s departure adds to the list of minor-league players who became free agents after the season as the Yankees continue offseason roster adjustments.
