The New York Yankees made a notable roster move in their minor league system on Wednesday, releasing former Mexican League MVP Nick Torres from his contract while in the midst of a series against the Tampa Bay Rays.
The decision came as the team prepared for the third game of the set in Florida, following a 6-2 loss the previous night that left the series even at one game apiece.
Torres, 33, had been assigned to the organization’s Double-A affiliate, the Somerset Patriots. In 40 games there, he hit .247 with two home runs and 11 runs batted in.
While those numbers reflect a serviceable but unspectacular start to the season, the move stands out given his recent accomplishments south of the border. Just months earlier, Torres had earned the 2025 Mexican League MVP honors after putting up impressive production for Algodoneros Unión Laguna, where he posted a .343 batting average and a 1.025 OPS since 2021.
A fourth-round pick by the San Diego Padres in the 2014 MLB Draft, Torres spent years climbing through the minor leagues but has yet to make his major league debut. His most recent affiliated experience prior to joining the Yankees came in Triple-A with the Texas Rangers back in 2018.
The Yankees had signed him in late 2025, hoping his proven bat from the Mexican League would translate into depth and potential production at the minor league level.
News of the release spread quickly via the Somerset Patriots’ official channels, confirming that the organization had cut ties with the right-handed hitter.
Observers, including those covering the Yankees beat, expressed some surprise at the relatively short opportunity afforded to a recent league MVP. As one reporter noted, a 40-game sample size for someone with Torres’ credentials raises questions about what unfolded behind the scenes.
For Torres, the next chapter remains uncertain. At this stage of his career, he could pursue opportunities with another major league organization, return to the Mexican League where he thrived, or explore independent ball options.
His track record suggests he still possesses the tools to contribute meaningfully somewhere, even if the Yankees’ evaluation led them in a different direction.
This transaction comes as the Yankees continue navigating their season, balancing big-league roster needs with development and depth decisions across their farm system.
While Torres’ time in pinstripes proved brief, his story highlights the unpredictable paths many veteran minor leaguers take in pursuit of sustained success.
