Fernando Cruz throws bullpen session in expected final step before Yankees return

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LOS ANGELES — On Saturday, it was the Dodger Stadium mound 4 and a half hours earlier than first pitch.

By Tuesday, it could possibly be the Yankee Stadium mound within the late innings.

Fernando Cruz accomplished what is predicted to be his final step earlier than being activated off the injured record, dealing with hitters Saturday morning at Dodger Stadium as he comes again from shoulder irritation.

The reliever threw about 17 pitches to Pablo Reyes and J.C. Escarra, and if he recovers properly within the coming days, he needs to be activated off the IL when he's first eligible on Tuesday.

“All the pieces feels actually good, easy,” Cruz mentioned earlier than the Yankees’ 18-12 blowout loss to the Dodgers. “I wasn’t even making an attempt to throw onerous and it feels wonderful. … Really feel actually good. Threw all my pitches for strikes. Velocity was there. … Really feel actually wholesome.”

Yankees reliever Fernando Cruz pitches in opposition to the Mets throughout a sport in opposition to the Mets earlier this season. IMAGN IMAGES by way of Reuters Join

Getting Cruz again shall be a giant enhance for the Yankees bullpen after he had pitched to a 2.66 ERA with 35 strikeouts in 23 ¹/₃ innings earlier than being sidelined.

“I believe it was price it [going on the IL],” Cruz mentioned. “The ache I used to be going via wanted to be mounted. This time made me even higher, I believe, from a working standpoint.”

On a weekend when he acquired his World Collection ring from the Dodgers, Ryan Yarbrough is ready to face them in Sunday’s sequence finale.

The veteran lefty swingman, who has been a boon for the Yankees to date this season, made 32 aid appearances for the Dodgers final 12 months earlier than they traded him to the Blue Jays on the deadline.

Ryan Yarbrough throws a pitch through the first inning of the Yankees’ win over the Angels on Could 26, 2025. Getty Photographs

The Yankees may have skipped Yarbrough on Sunday and thrown Carlos Rodón on regular relaxation, particularly with an off day Monday.

As a substitute, they'll hold Yarbrough on flip and provides Rodón the additional relaxation earlier than dealing with the Guardians on Tuesday at Yankee Stadium, coming off his seven-inning, 105-pitch gem in opposition to the Angels.

“Simply felt prefer it was in all probability finest and that places [Rodón] in line to go Tuesday-Sunday now, which might be a five-day on the following one,” supervisor Aaron Boone mentioned. “And clearly, Yarbs is throwing the ball very well.”

Jazz Chisholm Jr. (indirect pressure) performed in his second rehab sport Saturday with Double-A Somerset, going 1-for-3 with a steal and spending six innings at third base.

Jazz Chisholm reacts after an harm through the first inning of the Yankees’ blowout win over the Orioles on April 29, 2025. AP

He may DH on Sunday earlier than possible being activated Tuesday.

After crushing two dwelling runs on Friday evening, Shohei Ohtani took the mound Saturday afternoon for the equal of two innings, dealing with hitters for the second time since present process UCL surgical procedure.

The Dodgers have mentioned the two-way famous person may return to pitching in video games in some unspecified time in the future after the All-Star break.