Jake

Cousins

The procedural move frees up a spot on Los Angeles’ 40-man roster for minor league starter Jake Eder. The 31-year-old reliever signed a one-year contract last month and will continue working his way back from last year’s Tommy John surgery. He could potentially be an option at some point in the late stages of the year.

Cousins will be sidelined until the late stages of the upcoming season while continuing his rehabilitation from last June’s Tommy John surgery. The 31-year-old reliever didn’t pitch at all for the Yankees last season after compiling a strong 2.37 ERA across 38 innings back in 2024. He’s a strong zero-risk lottery ticket for the Dodgers as late-season bullpen depth in the event that his stuff bounces back to pre-surgery levels.

All five hurlers non-tendered have dealt with injuries over the last few years, and the Yankees will allow all to test free agency. Leiter Jr. has the stuff to be a high-leverage option, but teams will likely be reticent of investing too much in a 34-year-old that has missed as much time as he has.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone told reporters Cousins will undergo the season-ending procedure on Wednesday after being shut down from throwing last week with renewed elbow discomfort. It’s a definite hit to New York’s relief depth as Cousins compiled a sparkling 2.37 ERA across 38 innings (37 appearances) last year in his Yankees debut. He figures to miss most of the 2026 season as well, given the timing of the procedure.

Not good. Cousins underwent an MRI on Tuesday to determine the severity of the issue. The 30-year-old has been working his way back from a flexor strain in his right elbow, so this latest development feels highly problematic. There should be an update on his status at some point in the coming days.

Cousins ins working his way back from a flexor strain in his right elbow, so it’s an encouraging sign that the issue is unrelated. The 30-year-old righty hasn’t started a minor league rehab assignment yet, so it’s looking like he’s at least a few weeks away from any potential return to New York’s bullpen.

That doesn’t mean Cousins is ready to pitch, but rather that he can begin throwing bullpens. The 30-year-old is on the 60-day injured list with a flexor strain in his right elbow, and won’t be eligible to join the Yankees’ bullpen until the end of May. Cousins will be a middle-inning option as soon as he’s well enough to be one.

Cousins, a key reliever for the club in the second half of last season, is back throwing and probably would have been a candidate for the bullpen before the end of May, but the Yankees are opening up his spot on the 40-man for Pablo Reyes.

Cousins is recovering from a forearm strain and hasn’t been able to participate in Grapefruit League games. The 30-year-old will all-but-assuredly begin the 2025 season on the injured list, but once healthy, he has a chance to be a late-inning option for the New York bullpen.

Cousins added that his UCL “looked great” following an MRI. He should still have a shot at being ready for Opening Day if things go well after he resumes throwing.