Yankees Pitching Crisis: Fernando Cruz Out With Oblique Strain

By Oliver Wiener July 04, 2025 07:43

The New York Yankees are facing a mounting pitching crisis after right-handed reliever Fernando Cruz was placed on the injured list with a high-grade left oblique strain, marking his second stint on the IL this season. Cruz, who had just returned from a shoulder inflammation injury in early June, suffered the setback during a medicine ball warm-up in the weight room prior to Sunday’s game against the Oakland Athletics. Manager Aaron Boone described the injury as “pretty painful” and confirmed that Cruz will be sidelined for a significant period, likely at least a month.

Cruz’s absence is a major blow to the Yankees bullpen, where he had been a key late-inning strikeout specialist. The 35-year-old righty has been one of the team’s most reliable arms, posting a solid 3.00 ERA across 32 appearances, striking out 54 batters in 33 innings a staggering 41.2% strikeout rate while maintaining a 10.7% walk rate. His devastating splitter has baffled hitters all season, holding opponents to a .136 batting average and a .222 slugging percentage against the pitch, with over half of the plate appearances ending in strikeouts.

Boone, speaking from Toronto ahead of the Yankees’ game against the Blue Jays, acknowledged the challenge ahead: “It was quite painful for him on Sunday. He injured it while warming up in the weight room, during his morning routine of warm-ups and stretching. It’s part of the game. Everyone encounters some wear and tear and injuries along the way. We have to manage that. We have many capable players who can step up in various situations. We hope Cruz will return soon and be refreshed for the remainder of the season.”

To fill the void, the Yankees quickly selected the contract of right-handed reliever Geoff Hartlieb from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Hartlieb, a 31-year-old journeyman, has shown promise this season with a 3.34 ERA and a 26.2% strikeout rate over 35 innings in Triple-A. Although his major league career has been uneven, his recent slider-heavy approach and improved strikeout numbers offer hope that he can contribute meaningfully in the Yankees’ bullpen during Cruz’s absence.

The Yankees’ bullpen depth will be tested in the coming weeks, with Boone likely relying more heavily on arms like Devin Williams, Luke Weaver, and Mark Leiter Jr. to handle high-leverage situations. Cruz’s injury also raises concerns about the team’s ability to maintain late-inning dominance, especially as they push toward the postseason.

This latest setback compounds the Yankees’ injury woes, which also include catcher Austin Wells dealing with a circulatory issue in his left index finger, further straining the roster. The front office may need to explore trade options or call up additional arms to shore up the bullpen before the trade deadline.

Fernando Cruz’s oblique strain represents a significant loss for the Yankees at a critical juncture in the season. His elite strikeout ability and late-inning reliability will be sorely missed, and the team’s success in managing this pitching crisis will be pivotal in their quest for a playoff berth. As Boone put it, “We have to manage that and hope Cruz will return soon and be refreshed for the rest of the season.” Meanwhile, the Yankees will lean on new and existing bullpen pieces to navigate this challenging stretch and keep their postseason hopes alive.