New York Yankees reliever Fernando Cruz has been diagnosed with a partial tear in his ulnar collateral ligament (UCL), a condition that typically requires Tommy John surgery and a recovery period of at least one year. The 36-year-old right-hander, known for his emotional presence on the mound, has adopted a peaceful outlook after an initial period of distress.
"It happened to the right guy," Cruz stated, reflecting on the injury. He has acknowledged the issue has been bothering him for approximately three weeks, during which his performance on the mound faltered, allowing nine earned runs in his last 13.2 innings pitched. Cruz informed the Yankees of his condition because he felt it was impacting the team.
While awaiting a second opinion from Dr. Keith Meister, which he expects to provide clarity on his treatment plan within two to three days, Cruz is exploring all options. Some pitchers attempt to manage UCL injuries through rest and rehabilitation without surgery. Should he undergo the procedure, he would likely not pitch again until he is 38 years old.
Manager Aaron Boone expressed empathy for Cruz, highlighting his value as a person and teammate. "He's been such a great person for our team and for our room and how he goes about things," Boone said. "So I hate this for him. But I also know how just clear-minded he is, really strong faith. And we’ll sit down in the end, make the best decision for him."
Fernando Cruz reacts dejectedly after Jeremy Peña belts a two-run home run to tie the game in the sixth inning of the Yankees’ loss to the Astros on Aug. 25, 2026.
The Yankees' bullpen depth is further tested by Cruz's potential absence. The team recently saw veteran righty Justin Topa make his debut, allowing one unearned run on two hits and a walk over two innings. Additionally, Clarke Schmidt, who has been recovering from his own Tommy John surgery in 2025, is slated to begin a rehab assignment on Saturday, with the expectation that he will return as a reliever.
The team's pitching rotation for the upcoming series against the Red Sox includes Cam Schlittler on Friday, Carlos Rodón for one game of Saturday's doubleheader, and Will Warren on Sunday. Max Fried could also be available for the other Saturday game, pending the outcome of his throwing session. New York Yankees pitcher Fernando Cruz throws a pitch during the sixth inning of the Yankees’ loss to the Astros on Aug. 25, 2026.
