As the Yankees celebrated Jasson Domínguez’s walk-off homer and a win over the Rangers on Wednesday night, Aaron Boone explained why Fernando Cruz didn’t appear in the 4-3 victory or any other games since his last appearance on May 17.
The manager said that Cruz is dealing with “some shoulder stuff.” While Boone didn’t specify what that meant, he said imaging didn’t reveal anything “significant.”
“Hopefully we’re getting through it,” Boone said.
Cruz’s shoulder began barking after that May 17 outing against the Mets, which saw him walk one, hit a batter and allow an earned run over 1.1 innings. He hasn’t thrown since.
While Cruz didn’t get the job done in that loss to the Mets, the righty has been a strikeout machine for the Yankees this season.
Armed with a devastating splitter, Cruz has punched out 35 batters over 23.2 innings. That number led all relievers entering Wednesday.
Cruz, acquired from the Reds over the winter, also has a 2.66 ERA.
