Fernando

Cruz

Cruz picked up his second save of the season with David Bednar presumably unavailable to pitch against his former club following a 32-pitch effort during Sunday’s doubleheader against the Dodgers. The 36-year-old will continue to vulture the occasional save chance when the opportunity arises.

Congrats to David Bednar and his growing family. He will likely return in the middle of the week and resume his closing duties. The Yankees will likely use a committee approach with him gone. In June, Brent Headrick has had the next best win probability added of all Yankees’ relievers, but Fernando Cruz has been pitching the highest leverage innings. Perhaps Cruz and Headrick will form a committee for the two or three days Bednar is gone.

David Bednar had the night off after working the previous two days, and predictably, Cruz was the choice to fill in. He’s made 32 appearances with a 1.84 ERA and 11 holds working in front of Bednar this season. Acquiring him from the Reds for Jose Trevino prior to last year has been a big win for the Yankees.

Pitching in a setup role, Cruz had a 3.56 ERA and a 72/24 K/BB in 48 innings in his first season with the Yankees. This is his first arbitration season, and he’ll be eligible for free agency after 2028, though he’ll be 38 at that point.

Cruz goes into the spot previously occupied by Yerry De Los Santos. He had a 3.00 ERA, two saves and nine holds in 32 appearances before suffering a strained oblique at the end of June, but he’ll have to work his way back up the depth chart to get into high leverage situations in a crowded Yankees pen.

De los Santos heads back to the minors with Fernando Cruz coming off the injured list ahead of Tuesday’s game. He allowed four runs over 2 2/3 innings on Monday night against the Nationals.

Cruz’s return should provide a lift to New York’s high-leverage mix since he posted a solid 3.00 ERA and 54/14 K/BB ratio across 33 innings before hitting the injured list in late June with a high-grade left oblique strain.

Cruz gave up a couple of hits and walked one while throwing 21 pitches. He’s due at least a couple of more minor league appearances before returning from the oblique strain that’s sidelined him since the end of June.

Not great. Cruz is facing a lengthy absence and there’s a strong possibility he’s on the shelf until the late stages of the regular season. The 35-year-old veteran has been an essential high-leverage option this season for New York with a solid 3.00 ERA and 54/14 K/BB ratio across 33 innings.

Cruz heads back to the injured list for the second time this season after missing time last month with a shoulder ailment. The 35-year-old veteran has been a key component of New York’s relief mix this season with a strong 3.00 ERA and 54/14 K/BB ratio across 33 innings. Oblique issues can be tricky matters, especially for pitchers, so there’s a chance he isn’t back until after the All-Star break in a couple weeks.