The Yankees may have lost Fernando Cruz for the season after Aaron Boone's update on Wednesday night.
Boone told reporters that the struggling reliever has been diagnosed with a partial tear in his UCL, hours after placing him on the 15-day IL with right elbow discomfort. Cruz is seeking a second opinion, but Tommy John surgery is one the table.
The 36-year-old had been one of Boone's most reliable relievers for much of the season, and arguably his best bullpen option when it came to preventing inherited runners from scoring. But Cruz has not looked the same in the second half of the season. He has pitched to a 5.52 ERA since returning from the All-Star break, giving up home runs at an alarming rate. The latest home run as a two-run shot by Jeremy Pena in Tuesday's loss.
Michael Fulmer was signed to a big-league deal to help New York's shorthanded bullpen, and already saw time out of the pen in Wednesday's win. Ryan Weathers and Clarke Schmidt, two starters recovering from injury, could be factors out of the pen as well down the stretch of the season.
The news on Cruz is the latest tough blow to a Yankee roster that continues to plug holes throughout the season, though they are still holding the top Wild Card spot and within striking distance of first place in the AL East.
Tommy John surgery is on the table as Cruz seeks a second opinion.
Tommy John surgery is on the table as Cruz seeks a second opinion.
