Aug 13, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees pitcher Fernando Cruz (63) delivers a pitch against the Seattle Mariners during the ninth inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images
Tommy John surgery is very much on the table for New York Yankees reliever Fernando Cruz after imaging on Wednesday showed a partial tear in his UCL, Aaron Boone divulged.
Cruz was placed on the 15-day injured list after suffering the injury during Tuesday night’s loss to the Houston Astros, in which he allowed a two-run home run to Jeremy Pena. Boone said that Cruz “felt like something on one of his pitches maybe didn’t feel right,” prompting tests that revealed an issue that could very much put the remainder of his 2026 — and potentially his entire 2027 campaign if there is baseball — in jeopardy.
He is seeking a second opinion before a call on surgery is made.
The 36-year-old righty had been struggling mightily since the All-Star break, posting a 5.52 ERA across 17 appearances in which he admitted dealing with problems in both his mechanics and grip. He owned a 2.25 ERA during the first half of the season.
His absence has forced the Yankees to make a flurry of moves to their bullpen, most notably bringing on veteran journeyman Michael Fulmer, who 11 years ago was a promising Mets prospect traded to the Detroit Tigers in the famous Yoenis Cespedes deal. He made his team debut on Wednesday night, pitching the eighth inning of New York’s 9-3 win.
The Yankees also brought up Justin Topa and Elmer Rodriguez — the latter started Wednesday’s matchup with Houston — in hopes of keeping a shorthanded pitching staff afloat. They are currently without Max Fried, Clark Schmidt, and Ryan Weathers.
“They’re probably going to jump into the deep end,” Boone said. “It’s that time of year. The reality is, on any given day, they’re going to find themselves in leverage situations.”
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