Ahead of the Yankees’ middle game in their three-game series against the Blue Jays on Tuesday, manager Aaron Boone provided updates on the status of several injured players.
The Yankees have faced numerous injuries in their bullpen this season, affecting some of their key relief pitchers. Fernando Cruz, sidelined since late June due to an oblique strain, recently began a throwing program, although progress remains cautious as the injury has not fully healed. Originally expected to return in August, Cruz’s comeback timeline is now uncertain. Before his injury, Cruz was among the Yankees’ top relievers with a 3.00 ERA, two saves, and 54 strikeouts over 33 innings in 32 appearances.
Boone also gave an update on Yerry de los Santos, who has been on the injured list with elbow discomfort since mid-June. De los Santos has started rehabilitation games but still requires more time before returning to the big leagues. In a recent rehab outing, he allowed two runs on three hits, including a home run, and hit two batters in one inning. This season, he posted a solid 1.80 ERA with 13 strikeouts in 20 innings across 14 major league appearances.
Meanwhile, Ryan Yarbrough, who shifted from a reliever to a starter, has yet to throw from the mound after being sidelined by an oblique injury since June. This injury arrives at a challenging time for the Yankees’ rotation, which has already been hit hard with the losses of Lewis Gill, Gerrit Cole (out for the season following elbow surgery), and Clark Schmidt (shut down for the year due to elbow issues). Prior to his injury, Yarbrough had made 16 appearances (eight starts), recording a 3.90 ERA and a 1.17 WHIP. The Yankees are hopeful that Yarbrough can provide length in relief or starting if they make a trade before the deadline.
Fan Take: These injury updates highlight the Yankees’ ongoing battle with setbacks that could significantly impact their pitching depth. For baseball fans, the recovery and return of players like Cruz and Yarbrough will be crucial in shaping the team’s playoff hopes and maintaining competitive pitching throughout the season.
