Yankees Reliever Fernando Cruz Hits IL with Shoulder Inflammation

Big news for the New York Yankees: reliever Fernando Cruz just landed on the 15-day injured list with right shoulder inflammation. He started feeling pain during a recent outing against the New York Mets, and apparently, it’s been nagging him for about three weeks.

The Yankees are hoping he’ll bounce back soon. Let’s get into what’s going on with Cruz and what it means for the bullpen right now.

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Fernando Cruz’s Injury Details

Cruz, who’s been a key piece for the Yankees, heads to the injured list because of that shoulder inflammation. The issue popped up during a game against the Mets—he felt a sharp pain after tossing 26 pitches to the last seven batters in a 3-2 loss.

Even though he managed to get some big outs, including the end of the eighth and the start of the ninth, the pain just got worse. The team had to make the call to sit him down for now.

Timeline and Symptoms

Cruz admitted he’d been dealing with inflammation for weeks, but things really flared up in that last game. After talking to the trainers, he got a cortisone shot, which left his arm feeling weak for a bit.

Luckily, scans and MRIs didn’t show any new damage. That’s a bit of good news, at least.

Impact on the Yankees’ Bullpen

Losing Cruz is definitely a blow to the Yankees’ bullpen. His splitter has been nasty this season, and he’s put up a 2.66 ERA in 21 outings.

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He’s struck out 31 batters with that pitch, holding hitters to a .155 average. Taking him out of the mix, even for a short time, makes things trickier for the staff.

Yankees’ Bullpen Performance

Even with Cruz out, the bullpen’s been solid, posting a 3.38 ERA and racking up 196 strikeouts. Closer Luke Weaver talked about how much they’ll miss Cruz, but he also sounded pretty confident that the group can cover for him.

Weaver mentioned Cruz’s upbeat attitude and quick recovery as good signs. The team seems to be rallying around him.

Manager Aaron Boone’s Perspective

Manager Aaron Boone says he’s staying optimistic about Cruz’s recovery. He pointed out that the MRI didn’t show anything major, so the hope is that some rest will do the trick.

Boone and the coaching staff have noticed Cruz’s grit and commitment. He’s been pushing through pain for the team, and they appreciate it.

Recovery Plan

For now, Cruz is throwing from about 60 to 75 feet. Boone said Cruz will join the Yankees on their upcoming nine-game road trip, and he might start throwing off a mound soon.

The medical staff is keeping a close eye on him. They’re not rushing anything—they want him fully ready before he comes back.

Roster Adjustments

To fill the gap, the Yankees brought up Brent Headrick from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Headrick impressed in a few games earlier this season, tossing four scoreless outings.

Down in Triple-A, the 27-year-old’s got a 3.72 ERA over eight games. He’s shown he can help out while Cruz recovers.

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Headrick’s Role

Headrick’s going to play a big part in keeping the bullpen steady. His past performances and Triple-A experience make him a good fit right now.

The team’s counting on him to be reliable until Cruz is back on the mound.

Looking Ahead

Sure, losing Cruz hurts, but the Yankees seem pretty confident they can get through it. The bullpen has some depth, and Cruz’s attitude about recovery is encouraging.

With a nine-game road trip coming up, everyone’s watching to see how Cruz progresses—and how the bullpen steps up in his absence.

Team’s Outlook

The Yankees face a real test of resilience in the coming weeks. They’ll need to adapt quickly to whatever comes their way.

With a strong bullpen, they’ve got some tools to work with. The team environment seems supportive, which can’t hurt.

Fans and analysts are watching this closely, probably with a mix of worry and curiosity. How will the team adjust, and when will Cruz actually get back on the mound? Nobody knows for sure.

For more details on Fernando Cruz’s injury and the Yankees’ plans, you can read the full article on ESPN.

Joe Hughes is the founder of CollegeNetWorth.com, a comprehensive resource on college athletes' earnings potential in the NIL era. Combining his passion for sports with expertise in collegiate athletics, Joe provides valuable insights for athletes, fans, and institutions navigating this new landscape.

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