Yankees' Fernando Cruz has partially torn UCL; TJ surgery possible
NEW YORK -- Yankees reliever Fernando Cruz has a partially torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow that could require Tommy John surgery, manager Aaron Boone announced Wednesday after his club's 9-3 win over the Houston Astros.
Cruz was placed on the injured list Wednesday afternoon and was diagnosed with the injury after undergoing an MRI. Boone said the right-hander will seek opinions for treatment. The possibilities include the Tommy John procedure.
Even without the surgery, Cruz could miss the remainder of the season.
"We'll get other opinions, but that's certainly on the table," Boone said.
The setback comes after Cruz allowed two runs in another rocky outing in Tuesday's loss to the Astros. With that appearance, Cruz has surrendered nine earned runs across 13 innings since July 19. He had been one of the Yankees' best relievers until then, posting a 2.20 ERA over his first 45 games.
Cruz said he felt healthy after Tuesday's outing, but there was enough concern before he received his MRI result Wednesday to place him on the IL.
The cause for concern was on the mound where his stuff, especially his signature splitter, was noticeably not as sharp in recent weeks. The regression was on display again Tuesday when Jeremy Peñaclobbered a 91 mph fastball -- notably down from Cruz's 93.1 mph season average -- for a two-run home run.
Drafted as a position player in 2007, the 36-year-old Cruz made the switch to pitching in 2011 and made his major league debut with the Cincinnati Reds 11 years later.
He is in his second season with the Yankees after being acquired from Cincinnati in December 2024. He posted a 3.56 ERA in 48 innings across 49 appearances for New York last season.
This year, he has a 3.13 ERA in 54 innings over 61 games.
