Yankees Activate Fernando Cruz, Returns After Two-Month Absence

The New York Yankees have welcomed back veteran reliever Fernando Cruz after a two-month stint on the injured list. His return could prove pivotal for a bullpen that’s struggled mightily without him.

Cruz, who’s endured an injury-plagued season, was activated on Tuesday. He strained his left oblique in late June during a workout and missed significant time.

His return comes at a critical juncture. The Yankees are desperate for stability in their relief corps.

Fernando Cruz’s Injury-Plagued 2024 Season

The 35-year-old right-hander has faced a frustrating year. Multiple injuries have limited his availability and rhythm.

Earlier in the season, Cruz missed action from May 22 to June 3 with a strained right shoulder. Just weeks after returning, he suffered the oblique injury that sidelined him for more than two months.

The Setback That Sidetracked His Mid-Season Momentum

Before the oblique strain, Cruz had started to look like his old self. In the stretch after his shoulder recovery, he put up a 3.86 ERA with 19 strikeouts in just 9 1/3 innings.

Early in the year, he’d logged a rough 5.14 ERA in his first seven appearances. The Yankees needed him to anchor the middle innings, and losing him again left a real hole in their pitching depth.

The Yankees’ Struggling Bullpen Without Cruz

The numbers tell the story of just how much New York has missed Cruz. Before Tuesday’s game, the Yankees bullpen had a 4.36 ERA on the season, ranking 23rd in Major League Baseball.

After Cruz’s last outing on June 27, things got even worse. The bullpen posted a combined 5.71 ERA during his absence — the second-worst mark in the majors, only ahead of the Colorado Rockies.

Boone Banking on Stability

Manager Aaron Boone sounded genuinely relieved about Cruz’s return. Boone said Cruz’s performances when healthy have been a major boost to the squad.

The Yankees acquired Cruz from the Cincinnati Reds last December for catcher Jose Trevino. They wanted his veteran poise and knack for missing bats. In 32 appearances this year, Cruz has gone 2-3 with a 3.00 ERA overall.

The Domino Effect on the Roster

To make room for Cruz, the Yankees optioned right-hander Yerry De los Santos to Triple-A. De los Santos had a rough outing Monday, giving up four runs in just 2 2/3 innings.

His demotion highlights the shaky state of the relief staff. The Yankees clearly need immediate reinforcements like Cruz.

Why Cruz Could Be the Key Down the Stretch

As the Yankees navigate the final weeks of the season, every bullpen appearance matters. Cruz brings late-inning experience, strikeout ability, and a knack for handling high-pressure moments — all things the Yankees have been missing.

• Veteran Mentality: At 35, Cruz has the composure to handle high-leverage spots.
• Strikeout Potential: His 19 Ks in just over nine innings before the injury showed his swing-and-miss stuff is still there.
• Stabilizing Force: With the bullpen’s ERA ballooning, his return could help steady things.

Looking Ahead for the Yankees

The Yankees are hoping Fernando Cruz’s return sparks their battered bullpen. A healthy Cruz can bolster the middle innings and give Boone more flexibility with his late-game options.

The Bottom Line

Fernando Cruz’s 2024 season has been full of setbacks. Still, his resilience stands out.

Lately, he’s shown flashes that make you wonder if he could actually become a difference-maker for the Yankees down the stretch. If he stays healthy, maybe—just maybe—the bullpen finally starts to settle down.

And who knows? New York’s playoff hopes might get the jolt they’ve been missing.

—

If you’d like, I can also provide you with **SEO-friendly keywords** and **meta descriptions** so this blog post performs even better in search rankings. Would you like me to add that?
 
Here is the source article for this story: Yanks reliever Cruz returns after 2-month absence