Yankees Fans in Panic as Major Injury Puts Bullpen Strategy at Risk. Reliever Fernando Cruz has emerged as a breakout star and one of the Yankees’ best offseason pickups, but his rise has been temporarily derailed. After being sidelined for the past week, the team placed him on the injured list Thursday due to a shoulder issue.
The Yankees are trying to ease concerns. Cruz is already playing catch, and according to manager Aaron Boone, medical scans showed no structural damage. He received a cortisone injection and is expected to recover with rest.
Still, that hasn’t done much to calm an anxious fanbase.
It’s not just because Yankees fans are notoriously intense or that shoulder injuries often hint at deeper problems. Cruz has quickly become a crucial piece of the bullpen puzzle, both for the current season and the team’s postseason ambitions. If New York hopes to move past last year’s World Series heartbreak, a healthy Cruz could be essential.
Cruz has been outstanding since arriving from the Reds this winter. His elite splitter has made him one of the most effective relievers in the league, posting a 2.66 ERA with strikeout numbers that rank among baseball’s best. The Yankees had envisioned a potent playoff bullpen anchored by Cruz, along with Luke Weaver, a resurgent Devin Williams, Mark Leiter Jr., and lefty specialist Tim Hill.
Now, that blueprint is in jeopardy. If Cruz’s injury proves more serious, it could weaken a bullpen the Yankees are counting on to cover for uncertainties in the rotation. Beyond Max Fried and Carlos Rodon, the team’s starting options — like Will Warren and Clarke Schmidt — are largely untested in big moments, and Luis Gil remains a question mark due to his own shoulder troubles.
Relief pitching often decides postseason success, and the Yankees’ bullpen has been a strength, ranking among the top ten in ERA. But that edge could erode quickly if Cruz’s absence lingers. Not only would it weaken the unit overall, but it could also increase the workload on other key arms before October even arrives. For now, the team hopes it’s just a temporary setback — but if not, the effects could be felt deep into the season.
