Yankees sign All-Star reliever amid Fernando Cruz injury news

August 27, 2026 - 00:08

The New York Yankees shuffled their pitching staff ahead of tonight's game, bringing in a veteran All-Star reliever while placing right-hander Fernando Cruz on the injured list. The move comes as the team looks to steady a bullpen that has seen its share of ups and downs in the early weeks of the season.

Cruz, who was acquired in a trade during the offseason, has been dealing with shoulder tightness that the club decided needed a closer look. The injury is not believed to be serious, but the Yankees are taking a cautious approach with a pitcher they see as a key piece for the summer months. He will be eligible to return in about two weeks if all goes well with his recovery.

To fill the open spot on the active roster, the Yankees called up a familiar face from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. The reliever in question is a two-time All-Star who has bounced around the league in recent years but has shown flashes of his old dominance when healthy. He posted a 2.85 ERA over 12 appearances in the minors this spring, with a sharp strikeout rate that caught the coaching staff's attention.

Manager Aaron Boone said the decision was straightforward. "We know what he can do at the big league level," Boone told reporters. "He has been throwing the ball well down there, and with Fernando needing a breather, it made sense to bring him up and give him a chance to help us right away."

The Yankees have leaned heavily on their bullpen in the first two weeks, and the added depth should ease some of the workload on the younger arms. The new addition is expected to be available out of the pen for tonight's series opener, though Boone would not commit to a specific role just yet.

Cruz's absence is a short-term blow, but the Yankees are confident that the veteran presence will keep the relief corps steady until he returns. The team has not announced any further moves, but more roster adjustments could come if the bullpen continues to face heavy usage.