Fernando Cruz Diagnosed With Partial UCL Tear
MLB Trade Rumors • • sports
Key Points:
- Yankees setup man Fernando Cruz has a partially torn UCL and is seeking additional medical opinions to determine if surgery is necessary, making it unlikely he will pitch again this season.
- Surgery, especially a full Tommy John reconstruction, could sideline Cruz through all of 2027, though an internal brace procedure might allow a return by September 2027.
- Cruz has been a key right-handed reliever for the Yankees, ranking second on the team with 19 holds, but has struggled recently with increased runs and home runs allowed.
- The Yankees' bullpen, one of the best in baseball with a 3.06 ERA, will be significantly impacted by Cruz's injury, especially given recent injuries to other pitchers like Max Fried and Ryan Weathers.
- New York has not made pitching moves at the trade deadline, focusing instead on offense, and may rely on pitchers like Paul Blackburn, Michael Fulmer, and Justin Topa to fill the void left by Cruz.
