Yankees Place Key Reliever Fernando Cruz on IL with Shoulder Injury

New York Yankees reliever Fernando Cruz has been sidelined with a shoulder issue after an outing against the Mets where he allowed the game-winning run and experienced discomfort. Imaging and MRIs revealed no serious structural damage, but the team has placed him on the injured list to rest and rehabilitate before returning to action. Cruz, who has been a breakout performer with a 2.66 ERA and exceptional strikeout rates, has been a key bullpen piece, making his absence a significant blow to the Yankees' late-inning relief options. The team is hopeful for a swift recovery, with manager Aaron Boone emphasizing cautious optimism while monitoring Cruz's progress. To fill the roster gap, left-hander Brent Headrick has been called up from Triple-A following a strong start to the season. The Yankees are balancing bullpen depth with other relievers like Jonathan Loaisiga returning from injury, but Cruz's absence still leaves a notable void in their pitching staff.