Fernando Cruz is back with the Yankees after the team announced that the right-hander was activated from the 15-day injured list.
He was initially placed on the IL due to right shoulder inflammation, as he felt soreness in his throwing shoulder during an outing against the Mets in which he struggled with command and allowed the go-ahead run to score.
The Yankees mulled over the decision before officially placing him on the IL, but they made the choice to play it safe, and now they’ll have their stud reliever back for a critical homestand.
Hosting the Cleveland Guardians and Boston Red Sox for two three-game sets, Fernando Cruz joins the team at a time when the Yankees are reeling from a brutal hamstring injury to Luke Weaver.
A Battered Yankees’ Bullpen Finally Gets Fernando Cruz Back
With a 2.66 ERA and 2.49 FIP on the season, Fernando Cruz has been one of the best relievers in the Yankees’ bullpen this season.
The right-hander has been a strikeout machine, punching out over 37% of the batters he’s faced this season thanks to his nasty splitter.
After a Dodgers series where the team lost Luke Weaver for 4-6 weeks due to a hamstring injury, the team desperately needs some of their relievers to step up and hold things down in the meantime.
It’ll likely push Devin Williams into the closer role, which he struggled to handle when he initially arrived in the Bronx from the Brewers.
READ MORE: The Yankees just lost their star closer for 4-6 weeks
Fernando Cruz could immediately fill in a role as the 7th or 8th inning guy for the Yankees. If Williams continues to falter in a closer role, he might be a candidate to get save opportunities as well.
He already recorded his first career save against the Royals, the team that initially drafted him, earlier this season when the team had yet to figure out its closing situation.
The Yankees host the Guardians for a three-game series starting today, with Carlos Rodon going up against Tanner Bibee, a rematch of Game 5 of the American League Championship Series last year.