NEW YORK — Allan Winans dominated Triple-A hitters all season. He posted a 1.63 ERA across 21 appearances. He struck out 105 batters in 99.1 innings. He went 12-1 for the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders.
None of it mattered when he reached the Bronx. And now he’s leaving MLB altogether.
The Yankees granted Allan Winans his release on Wednesday so the 30-year-old right-hander can pursue an opportunity in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball. It’s another reminder that minor league success doesn’t guarantee major league results.
Sherman breaks the news
Joel Sherman of the New York Post reported the move. The Yankees agreed to release Winans so he could sign with an NPB team. Japanese clubs typically pay a release fee of a few hundred thousand dollars to facilitate these deals.
“The Yankees have given release waivers to pitcher Allan Winans to seek an opportunity to play in Japan, a source told The Post,” Sherman reported on X.
The move opens a spot on the Yankees’ 40-man roster. They now sit at 36 players heading into the heart of the offseason.
Winans’ struggles in the majors
The numbers tell the story. Winans thrived at Triple-A but couldn’t translate that success to the big leagues. He posted an 8.61 ERA in three appearances with the Yankees this season. His career MLB numbers aren’t much better.
Across three major league seasons with Atlanta and New York, Winans compiled a 7.48 ERA in 49.1 innings. He allowed too many hard-hit balls. His fastball averaged just 90 mph, well below today’s major league average.
At Triple-A, that velocity plays. In the majors, hitters feast on it. The gap between the minors and majors proved too wide to bridge.
Triple-A dominance deserved better
Winans’ minor league track record is genuinely impressive. He spent parts of four seasons at the Triple-A level between Gwinnett and Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. He combined for a 2.79 ERA with a 23.1% strikeout rate and 6.9% walk rate in 355.1 innings.
His 2025 campaign with the Yankees’ affiliate was particularly dominant. The 1.63 ERA ranked among the best in the International League. His 1.03 WHIP showed excellent command. He earned multiple call-ups to the Bronx based on merit.
Each time he got the chance, the results didn’t follow. The Yankees needed rotation depth with Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodon, and Clarke Schmidt all recovering from injuries. Winans couldn’t seize the opportunity.
Japan offers a fresh start
NPB could be perfect for Winans. The average fastball velocity in Japan sits around 91 mph, making his arsenal more competitive. His sharp command and proven minor league success should translate well overseas. The Yankees lose depth but gain roster flexibility.
He’s not alone in taking this path. Many former Triple-A pitchers have found lengthy, lucrative careers in Japan, Korea, and Taiwan. Some have even returned to MLB after thriving overseas.
Winans will likely earn far more pitching in NPB than he would on a split contract bouncing between the majors and minors. The financial security alone makes this a smart move.
Yankees bullpen continues thinning
Winans’ departure adds to the Yankees’ bullpen turnover this winter. They’ve already lost Devin Williams to the Mets. Luke Weaver signed with New York’s crosstown rivals as well. The relievers keep walking out the door while the Yankees watch from the sidelines.
General manager Brian Cashman has addressed some needs. David Bednar arrived at the trade deadline to close games. Tim Hill returned on a $3 million option. Camilo Doval provides setup help. But pitching depth remains a pressing concern for the Yankees heading into 2026.
Winans wasn’t a lock to make the Yankees roster anyway. He was out of minor league options, meaning the Yankees would have needed to keep him on the 26-man roster or risk losing him on waivers. Japan offered a cleaner exit for both sides.
From 17th-round pick to Japan
Winans’ journey through professional baseball took unexpected turns. The Mets drafted him in the 17th round in 2018 out of Campbell University. He worked his way through their system before a trade sent him to Atlanta in 2021.
The Braves gave him his first major league taste in 2023. He made six starts and showed flashes. But the results were inconsistent. Atlanta designated him for assignment in January 2025.
The Yankees claimed him off waivers days later. They saw potential in his command and diverse pitch mix. He throws a four-seamer, sinker, slider, and changeup. All four pitches grade as average or better in the minors. The Yankees hoped the command would translate.
Winans made three appearances for the Yankees in 2025. He started once against Cincinnati in June. The results were ugly. He allowed three runs in three innings before the bullpen took over. Two more relief appearances yielded similar struggles.
Now Winans heads overseas seeking what he couldn’t find in America. A rotation spot. Consistent work. A chance to prove his Triple-A dominance wasn’t a mirage. Japan will provide that opportunity. The Yankees move forward with one less arm in the organization as they continue reshaping the roster for 2026.
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