New York Yankees reliever Fernando Cruz (oblique) is scheduled to throw off a mound either Thursday or Friday as he works back from a strained left oblique. It'll be the right-hander's first time doing so since he went on the 15-day injured list a month ago. Cruz hasn't pitched since June 27, which has deprived the Yankees of one of their only reliable setup men. The 35-year-old has posted a 3.00 ERA with a 1.00 WHIP, 54 strikeouts, 14 walks, and nine holds in 33 innings. With Cruz possibly out until September, the Yankees are scouring the market for bullpen help in advance of Thursday's trade deadline.

New York Yankees relief pitcher Fernando Cruz (oblique) is still a ways from returning to the Yankees' pen, but he has resumed a throwing program. Manager Aaron Boone said that Cruz felt "awesome" after his last session, but also acknowledged it's a slower program because Cruz is not fully recovered from his left oblique strain. Cruz originally sustained the injury during a medicine ball workout in the weight room, and he has been sidelined since the end of June. The fact that he's throwing is a good sign that he remains on track to return at some point in August. It isn't clear if he'll need a rehab stint or not before returning to New York to join the Yankees.

New York Yankees reliever Fernando Cruz (oblique) is recovering well from his left oblique strain and could resume playing catch over the weekend, according to Bryan Hoch of MLB.com. Cruz has been on the 15-day injured list since late June with what was diagnosed as a "high-grade" strain, and he's not expected to return until August. He's a valuable high-leverage reliever for the Yankees. Before getting hurt, Cruz had pitched to a 3.00 ERA and 1.00 WHIP with 54 strikeouts and two saves in 33 innings. As long as Devin Williams and Luke Weaver are healthy, Cruz should not be expected to earn more than the occasional save chance for the Yankees.

New York Yankees relief pitcher Fernando Cruz (oblique) will miss significant time after suffering what manager Aaron Boone classified as a "high-grade" oblique strain. Cruz was placed on the 15-day injured list before Monday's game, but could be sidelined significantly longer. The 35-year-old righty has been a key part of the Yankees' bullpen this season with a 3.00 ERA, 2.45 FIP, and 54 strikeouts in his 33 innings. He has been one of the team's top high-leverage arms, and while he is out, the options like Devin Williams, Luke Weaver, and Mark Leiter Jr. will have to step up and carry an even larger workload. More holds and saves could be available for that trio while Cruz is out, and the Yankees will hope that Cruz can return late in the season, although no firm timetable has been established.

The New York Yankees placed reliever Fernando Cruz (shoulder) on the 15-day injured list on Thursday with right-shoulder inflammation, five days after feeling pain in his shoulder in an outing against the New York Mets. Cruz said he's been pitching through inflammation in his shoulder for the last three weeks. The 35-year-old veteran received a cortisone shot in his arm but said an MRI exam didn't show any serious damage. He said he threw from distances of 60-70 feet on Thursday. Manager Aaron Boone said Cruz will join the team on their upcoming nine-game road trip and could start throwing off a mound shortly. Cruz, who is known for his splitter, has been a key relief arm for the Yanks so far in 2025 with a 2.66 ERA, 35 strikeouts and two saves in his 21 appearances out of the bullpen. To replace Cruz on the active roster, Brent Headrick was recalled from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

The New York Yankees acquired right-handed reliever Fernando Cruz and catcher Alex Jackson from the Cincinnati Reds on Friday night in exchange for catcher Jose Trevino. Both Cruz and Jackson will give the Yankees some extra depth at their respective positions going into 2025. Cruz, 34, has experience in high-leverage situations out of the bullpen, but his numbers in two full seasons in Cincy haven't been very impressive. He has a 4.88 ERA and 1.27 WHIP with 207 strikeouts and 63 walks in 132 2/3 innings pitched. However, Cruz also had 23 holds in 2024 and could rack up some holds as more of a middle-relief option in pinstripes next year. Jackson, 28, will be competing with J.C. Escarra and Jesus Rodriguez in spring training to be the backup to Austin Wells in 2025. The former first-rounder in 2014 hit just .122 with three homers and 12 RBI in 58 games with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2024.

The Chicago Cubs have reportedly agreed to a $4 million deal with shortstop prospect Fernando Cruz. The 17-year-old is MLB Pipeline's No. 4 international prospect. The team has not yet confirmed the deal. Cruz is known as a hitter capable of hitting to all fields with power and as a quick defender with a strong arm and speed. He has the skills to stick at the shortstop position, although that position is currently occupied by Dansby Swanson at the big-league level.

The Chicago Cubs have signed international shortstop prospect Fernando Cruz to a $4 million signing bonus on Monday. It's one of the top signing bonuses in this year's international class, even though the 17-year-old hasn't stood out quite as much as the other shortstop prospects in his class. Cruz has a very strong glove up the middle and has impressed during recent showcases, but he'll need to develop some of his other offensive tools as he matures in the next couple of years before he's considered one of the top prospects in the game at the premium position at the 6.

Cincinnati Reds right-hander Fernando Cruz will serve as the team's opener on Saturday against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Cruz will only go an inning or two before likely giving way to right-hander Ben Lively (pectoral), who is expected to be activated from the 15-day injured to serve as the bulk reliever for this one. The 33-year-old Cruz will be making his first start of the year, so fantasy managers will want to stay away from him as a streamer. In 46 appearances out of Cincy's bullpen in 2023 in his second year in the big leagues, he's posted a 4.30 ERA (3.06 FIP), 1.22 WHIP, 23 walks and 74 strikeouts in 52 1/3 innings pitched.

The Cincinnati Reds activated right-hander Fernando Cruz (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list on Friday and optioned right-hander Alan Busenitz to the minors in a corresponding move. Cruz ended up missing more than a month due to a right-shoulder strain, but he's back now and will provide additional depth out of the bullpen. The 33-year-old will return to a 6.59 ERA (3.06 FIP), 1.68 WHIP, eight walks and 20 strikeouts in 13 2/3 innings over his 10 relief appearances this year. Cruz has some strikeout upside, but he can continue being ignored in fantasy. Busenitz heads back to the farm after allowing two runs while walking one and striking out three in four relief innings for the Reds.