Aaron Boone confirms Yankees reliever is dealing with shoulder issue
New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone had some concerning news after a dramatic walk-off win over the Rangers on Wednesday night. Fernando Cruz, the dynamic reliever the Yankees added to their bullpen this winter, has been shut down since Saturday with a shoulder issue.
Boone offered a brief update after the Yankees' walked off the Rangers thanks to Jasson Dominguez's home run. He downplayed the injury, saying that the right-hander is not dealing with anything structurally significant. Cruz was sent for 'imaging,' which showed no serious concerns.
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Boone told reporters the team is hopeful Cruz is 'getting through it.'
Cruz gave up the game-winning run in the Yankees' loss to the Mets on Saturday.
New York Yankees reliever Fernando Cruz reacts to giving up a run to the Mets on May 17, 2025, at Yankee Stadium. © Brad Penner-Imagn Images
The 34-year-old was acquired from the Reds in a surprising offseason that sent All-Star catcher Jose Trevino to Cincinnati. He had emerged as a useful option in middle relief. Known for his late-blooming rise to the majors and a splitter that can miss bats, Cruz had quietly become a stabilizing presence in the Yankees' bullpen early in the season.
Through 11 appearances, Cruz had posted a 3.27 ERA with 16 strikeouts across 11 innings, working primarily in low- and mid-leverage situations. His usage had tapered off recently, leading to speculation about his status. Boone's comments on Wednesday confirmed those concerns.
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The Yankees' bullpen has started to regain its depth with Jonathan Loaisiga back and Scott Effross working his way back at Triple-A. Still, Cruz's status remains worth monitoring, especially with Ian Hamilton struggling.
For now, it sounds like the Yankees will wait a few more days to see how Cruz responds before making any roster decisions. But with more arms getting healthy and the calendar turning toward June, the team may soon have some tough choices to make, particularly if Cruz's shoulder lingers longer than expected.
Related: Jazz Chisholm Jr. has A Plan the Yankees Might Not Like
Related: Brian Cashman's Comments on Trade Deadline Will Alarm Yankees Fans
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