The Bronx Bomber's Bolstered 'Pen: Cruz Control Returns to the Hill
Published on: August 26, 2025
The New York Yankees. A name synonymous with pinstripes, power, and… a perpetually problematic bullpen? For much of the 2025 season, the latter has been an unfortunate reality. While the Bronx Bombers’ lineup has, at times, lived up to its moniker, the relief corps has more often resembled a dud firework, sputtering and fizzling when the game was on the line. General Manager Brian Cashman, recognizing the glaring weakness threatening to derail a promising season, went into full-blown “fix-it” mode, orchestrating a series of trades that brought in a trio of arms: David Bednar from the Pirates, Camilo Doval from the Giants, and Jake Bird from the Rockies. While the jury’s still out on the long-term impact of these acquisitions (Bird, in particular, experiencing early turbulence with a quick demotion to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre), a more immediate and arguably more critical reinforcement has arrived, not via trade, but from the IL: the return of Fernando Cruz.
Cruz, acquired in the offseason from the Cincinnati Reds in a deal that sent fan-favorite Jose Trevino packing, has been a flickering beacon of hope in an otherwise dim bullpen landscape. But injuries, the cruel mistress of baseball, have kept him sidelined for significant chunks of the season. First, it was a right shoulder inflammation in May. Then, just as he was finding his groove, a left oblique strain sent him back to the shelf on June 30th. Now, like a phoenix rising from the ashes (or perhaps, more appropriately, a meticulously groomed reliever emerging from the trainer's room), Cruz is back.
The Yankees activated Cruz on Tuesday, just in time for the second game of their series against the Washington Nationals. The corresponding move saw right-hander Yerry De Los Santos optioned back to Triple-A, a decision influenced by both Cruz’s return and the lack of minor league options for recently acquired Paul Blackburn. While De Los Santos’ 3.28 ERA and 28 strikeouts in 35.2 innings suggest promise, his rough outing against the Nationals on Monday, culminating in a ninth-inning grand slam surrendered to Jacob Young, sealed his temporary fate. With 47 pitches thrown in that game, De Los Santos’ availability for the immediate future was already in question, making the decision to bring back Cruz a relatively straightforward one.
Manager Aaron Boone, speaking before the Yankees’ series finale against the Boston Red Sox, expressed palpable relief and excitement about Cruz’s return. "Obviously, he's been super productive for us down there and such an important part of that pen when he's been healthy," Boone stated, per Greg Joyce of the New York Post. “And he's just a great person and competitor and guy to be on the team; takes the ball in any scenario. I am looking forward to getting him back.” Boone's words aren't mere managerial platitudes. Cruz, at 35 years old, brings a veteran presence and a proven track record, even amidst the injury setbacks.
The numbers tell a compelling story. In just 33 innings pitched this season, Cruz has racked up an impressive 54 strikeouts, showcasing a devastating split-finger fastball that has opposing hitters flailing away for a paltry .138 average. He’s become a reliable bridge to closer Clay Holmes, providing stability in the crucial seventh and eighth innings. During Cruz’s absence, the Yankees’ bullpen ERA ballooned to a ghastly 5.58, the second-worst in Major League Baseball over that period. It's a statistic that underscores just how vital his presence is to the team's postseason aspirations.
The Yankees' recent struggles highlight the importance of a lockdown bullpen in today's game. Tight games, nail-biting finishes – these are the moments where championships are won and lost. And without a reliable bridge to the closer, even the most potent offenses can be rendered irrelevant. Cruz's return provides Boone with a trusted arm, a veteran presence capable of navigating the treacherous waters of high-leverage situations. As Greg Joyce aptly put it in the New York Post, “Cruz’s return should give Boone another late-inning option in his circle of trust as the Yankees head down the homestretch.”
The acquisition of Bednar, Doval, and Bird represents a long-term investment in the bullpen's future. But in the here and now, with the season entering its crucial final stretch, the return of Fernando Cruz is the injection of experience and proven performance that the Yankees desperately need. He isn't just another arm; he's a stabilizing force, a veteran presence who can help transform a liability into a strength. As the Yankees fight for a playoff spot, Cruz’s performance in the late innings could very well determine whether their season ends in October glory or September disappointment. The Bronx Bombers are hoping that Cruz Control, finally back in the driver's seat, can steer them towards a championship course. Only time, and the unforgiving nature of baseball, will tell.
Cruz, acquired in the offseason from the Cincinnati Reds in a deal that sent fan-favorite Jose Trevino packing, has been a flickering beacon of hope in an otherwise dim bullpen landscape. But injuries, the cruel mistress of baseball, have kept him sidelined for significant chunks of the season. First, it was a right shoulder inflammation in May. Then, just as he was finding his groove, a left oblique strain sent him back to the shelf on June 30th. Now, like a phoenix rising from the ashes (or perhaps, more appropriately, a meticulously groomed reliever emerging from the trainer's room), Cruz is back.
The Yankees activated Cruz on Tuesday, just in time for the second game of their series against the Washington Nationals. The corresponding move saw right-hander Yerry De Los Santos optioned back to Triple-A, a decision influenced by both Cruz’s return and the lack of minor league options for recently acquired Paul Blackburn. While De Los Santos’ 3.28 ERA and 28 strikeouts in 35.2 innings suggest promise, his rough outing against the Nationals on Monday, culminating in a ninth-inning grand slam surrendered to Jacob Young, sealed his temporary fate. With 47 pitches thrown in that game, De Los Santos’ availability for the immediate future was already in question, making the decision to bring back Cruz a relatively straightforward one.
Manager Aaron Boone, speaking before the Yankees’ series finale against the Boston Red Sox, expressed palpable relief and excitement about Cruz’s return. "Obviously, he's been super productive for us down there and such an important part of that pen when he's been healthy," Boone stated, per Greg Joyce of the New York Post. “And he's just a great person and competitor and guy to be on the team; takes the ball in any scenario. I am looking forward to getting him back.” Boone's words aren't mere managerial platitudes. Cruz, at 35 years old, brings a veteran presence and a proven track record, even amidst the injury setbacks.
The numbers tell a compelling story. In just 33 innings pitched this season, Cruz has racked up an impressive 54 strikeouts, showcasing a devastating split-finger fastball that has opposing hitters flailing away for a paltry .138 average. He’s become a reliable bridge to closer Clay Holmes, providing stability in the crucial seventh and eighth innings. During Cruz’s absence, the Yankees’ bullpen ERA ballooned to a ghastly 5.58, the second-worst in Major League Baseball over that period. It's a statistic that underscores just how vital his presence is to the team's postseason aspirations.
The Yankees' recent struggles highlight the importance of a lockdown bullpen in today's game. Tight games, nail-biting finishes – these are the moments where championships are won and lost. And without a reliable bridge to the closer, even the most potent offenses can be rendered irrelevant. Cruz's return provides Boone with a trusted arm, a veteran presence capable of navigating the treacherous waters of high-leverage situations. As Greg Joyce aptly put it in the New York Post, “Cruz’s return should give Boone another late-inning option in his circle of trust as the Yankees head down the homestretch.”
The acquisition of Bednar, Doval, and Bird represents a long-term investment in the bullpen's future. But in the here and now, with the season entering its crucial final stretch, the return of Fernando Cruz is the injection of experience and proven performance that the Yankees desperately need. He isn't just another arm; he's a stabilizing force, a veteran presence who can help transform a liability into a strength. As the Yankees fight for a playoff spot, Cruz’s performance in the late innings could very well determine whether their season ends in October glory or September disappointment. The Bronx Bombers are hoping that Cruz Control, finally back in the driver's seat, can steer them towards a championship course. Only time, and the unforgiving nature of baseball, will tell.
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