The New York Yankees have placed right-handed pitcher Fernando Cruz on the 15-day injured list due to a strained left oblique, a move that is retroactive to June 28. To fill Cruz’s vacancy on the roster, the Yankees have called up right-hander Geoff Hartlieb from Triple-A.
In a separate injury development, outfielder Trent Grisham exited the Yankees’ recent 5-4 defeat to the Toronto Blue Jays after the fourth inning because of a tight left hamstring. He finished the game with a 1-for-2 batting record, having scored on a home run by Jazz Chisholm Jr.
Manager Aaron Boone also noted that catcher Austin Wells missed his second consecutive game due to a circulation issue affecting a finger on his left hand. While Wells has been managing discoloration that worsened over the past two weeks, tests have ruled out serious conditions like blood clots. Boone anticipates that Wells will return by Wednesday, with J.C. Escarra taking over the position in the meantime. Wells is having a challenging season, hitting .214 with 11 home runs and 45 RBIs in 69 games.
Cruz, in his first season with the Yankees, has an impressive performance record with a 3.00 ERA, two saves, and has notably not allowed an earned run in 26 of his 32 appearances this season. His 41.2% strikeout rate is among the top for pitchers with at least 20 innings pitched. Boone expressed optimism about Cruz’s recovery, hoping that the time on the injured list will help refresh him for the remainder of the season.
The Yankees designated infielder CJ Alexander for assignment to make room for Hartlieb on the 40-man roster. As injuries affect the team’s lineup, the Yankees aim to find stability and return to form, highlighting the resilience of players stepping up in challenging times.