Yankees News: Major Fernando Cruz injury update shared by surgeon

The New York Yankees have been plagued by injuries to their pitchers this season. Veteran reliever Fernando Cruz is the latest Yankee on the injured list after suffering from shoulder discomfort.

While Devin Williams has divided opinion in his first season with the Bronx Bombers, Cruz has been a reliable option from the bullpen, posting a 2.66 ERA with 35 strikeouts in 23 2/3 innings.

Guillem Gonzalez-Lomas, a Sports Orthopedic Surgeon for NYU Langone’s Sports Medicine Center, provided an update on Cruz's recovery in a conversation with New York Post Sports' Brandon London on "Injury Report."

Cruz was dealing with a shoulder issue before being placed on the 15-day injured list, and Lomas said it was the right decision not to risk his arm.

"With Fernando Cruz, you always have to think about what could happen if you just try to gut it out and play through it, and that is not something you want to do with a pitcher. These guys are very refined athletes and if you overdo it, you can put them out for a long period. So, right call to let him rest, let it calm down, maybe give them a little medication."

Lomas also shared an insight into the road to recovery for the reliever, who is set to throw live BP on Saturday and return to the mound next week.

"The Spectrum could be as short as just a few games, and sometimes it takes a few weeks. And again, you have to test them with at least as close to game intensity as you can. Once they pass that test, you can get them back on the mound."

Fernando Cruz frustrated after being placed on IL by Yankees

Fernando Cruz has made 21 appearances for the Yankees this season, and while he was frustrated by his shoulder injury, he looked at the positives.

"I’m a little frustrated; it’s a little disappointing,” Cruz said after he was placed on the IL. “But I think it’s the best option for the team, for me to be able to be strong and ready for what’s coming."

Cruz is expected to be available for the Yankees when they take on the Cleveland Guardians next week.

About the author

Chaitanya Prakash is an editor who covers US Sports at Sportskeeda. His first brush with sportswriting was in 2012 when the greatest football manager of all time, Sir Alex Ferguson, bid farewell to the beautiful game.

Although having started out professionally as a cricket writer in 2022, Chaitanya's curiosity and indiscriminate interest in all sports in general eventually introduced him to America's favorite pastime.

While Chaitanya's favorite player from the current crop is the dynamic Venezuelan Ronald Acuna Jr., his all-time favorite, however, is Pedro Martinez, for his self-belief and consistency. He also rates Jose Bautista's iconic bat flip in 2015 as his favorite moment in baseball history.

Chaitanya specializes in reporting on technical aspects of the game or analyzing patterns behind specific plays. He also likes pondering over players' self-assessments following the conclusion of a game as it helps him get an idea of how they think about the sport in general.

When not cheering for his favorites across sports, Chaitanya likes being transported to the past through a good war documentary or a historical documentary in general.

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Edited by Chaitanya Prakash