Yankees agree to minor-league deal with veteran catcher Mitch Garver

The New York Yankees have reportedly agreed to sign catcher Mitch Garver to a minor-league deal, an arrangement that would place him with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. The move is framed as depth rather than a midseason roster shock, coming as the Yankees look to add insurance to their catching situation without creating an immediate change to the major-league lineup.

Garver, 35, spent the beginning of the 2026 season with the Seattle Mariners before being released earlier this week, according to the report. As a result, the Yankees’ agreement gives Garver a path back into affiliated baseball relatively quickly, while also offering the Yankees a familiar baseball skill set they can evaluate up close in their top minor-league system.

The Yankees’ catcher rotation at the major-league level centers on Cal Raleigh, who is referenced in the report as the primary catcher and the player Garver would be expected to back up in the Yankees’ overall planning. Garver’s assignment to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre suggests the club is looking for a reliable veteran presence who can handle innings, contribute behind the plate, and be available should circumstances at the top level change.

One additional detail in the report matters for both sides: the agreement includes an opt-out later this month. That kind of clause typically gives flexibility if a player’s situation improves at the major-league level or if a team decides it no longer needs the depth. For the Yankees, it is also a way to add catchers without locking the organization into a long-term commitment if the season’s needs shift quickly.

While the report characterizes the Yankees’ deadline activity as not necessarily producing a major-league catching upgrade, it positions Garver as a depth piece for the long grind of the season. Triple-A assignments can quickly turn into major-league calls, especially for position players whose availability is tied to matchup needs, travel plans, and day-to-day roster management.

For Garver, the agreement provides a relatively direct route back into games after his release. In a role described as backup-oriented at the major-league level, he would be expected to contribute at the minor-league level through readiness and experience, giving the Yankees a catcher who can step in if the top group requires rest or replacement.