It was only a matter of time before the Yankees encountered injury issues, especially after returning multiple players from the IL and enjoying a relatively healthy stretch in September. During Thursday’s game, star outfielder Juan Soto banged his knee against the concrete wall along the first base line, while relief pitcher Jake Cousins exited the contest early after throwing just six pitches.
Juan Soto’s Injury Scare
Fortunately, Soto appears to be in good spirits and expects to recover quickly. His knee injury, while alarming at first, doesn’t seem to be serious. Soto expressed optimism about his condition after the game, giving fans hope that he’ll be back in action soon.
Jake Cousins’ Pec Tightness
On the other hand, Cousins may need more time to recover. The 30-year-old right-handed reliever experienced tightness in his right pectoral muscle, an issue that had been bothering him for several days. After Thursday’s loss, Cousins spoke about the discomfort, indicating that it started during Sunday’s game.
“I would say Sunday I felt it during the game for the first time, where it wasn’t normal,” Cousins said. “Then it developed into tightness. Over the last couple of days, it’s gotten a lot better, which is very encouraging to me. Today, I was able to throw, I just didn’t really necessarily want to let it eat. I knew I could try and get outs without it having to be in the mid-90s.”
Cousins’ Impactful Season with the Yankees
Cousins has been a key piece for the Yankees’ bullpen this season. Over 38 innings, he’s posted a stellar 2.37 ERA with 12.55 strikeouts per nine innings. His 81.6% left-on-base rate and 42.1% ground ball rate further highlight his effectiveness. While his walk rate remains at 4.74 per nine, the lowest of his career, Cousins has been outstanding in many facets, especially with his slider.
Opposing batters are hitting just .141 against Cousins’ slider, which he throws 65.7% of the time. This pitch, averaging 82.1 mph, boasts a 47.2% whiff rate and a 28.7% putaway rate, making it one of the best sliders in the Yankees’ arsenal. Its impressive horizontal movement, generating 91% more break than the average pitcher’s slider, makes it a formidable weapon.
A Hidden Gem in the Bullpen
Cousins’ slider has been a revelation for the Yankees, who picked him up after he struggled to stick with the Milwaukee Brewers. Despite showing promise with Milwaukee, Cousins posted a 4.82 ERA over just 9.1 innings last season. However, under the guidance of Yankees pitching coach Matt Blake, Cousins has emerged as a vital bullpen arm.
The Yankees are in a strong position moving forward, as Cousins won’t reach free agency until 2029, making him an extremely valuable and cost-effective bullpen piece for years to come. As long as Blake continues to refine Cousins’ already elite slider, the right-hander could become a long-term asset for the Yankees’ relief corps.
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Looking Ahead to the Playoffs
As the Yankees prepare for the playoffs, the hope is that Cousins’ pec tightness isn’t too serious and that he’ll be able to return in time to contribute in high-leverage situations. His ability to dominate in the middle innings will be crucial as the Yankees aim to make a deep postseason run. While Soto’s injury scare was brief, managing the health of key players like Cousins will be essential for the Yankees as they approach October baseball.