TORONTO – Two key Yankees have been present process medical evaluations in current days, with reliever Fernando Cruz touchdown on the injured checklist with a left indirect pressure and catcher Austin Wells present process testing after experiencing a circulatory situation in his left index finger.
Cruz sustained the damage throughout a medication ball exercise within the weight room previous to Sunday’s sport in opposition to the Athletics, in keeping with supervisor Aaron Boone. An MRI was carried out Monday morning in New York to evaluate the severity of the pressure.
“It was fairly painful for him,” Boone mentioned earlier than Monday night time’s sport in opposition to the Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. “Hopefully, it’s not too lengthy and we’ll get him again, just a bit more energizing for the remainder of the best way.”
This marks Cruz’s second journey to the IL this season; he was out from Might 22 to June 3 with a proper shoulder pressure. In 32 video games, the 35-year-old Cruz has posted a 3.00 ERA with two saves, hanging out 54 batters in 33 innings.
The state of affairs relating to Wells has been much less clear. Wells didn’t seem in two of the Yankees’ three video games over the weekend in opposition to the Athletics.
Boone mentioned Monday that Wells has been present process testing after reporting an intermittent chilly sensation in his left index finger. That prompted an invasive process throughout Sunday’s sport involving an artery close to his groin, meant to rule out a blood clot or aneurysm.
All outcomes to this point have been encouraging, mentioned Boone, who likened Wells’ situation to at least one that catcher Ben Rortvedt skilled throughout Spring Coaching with the Yankees in 2023.
“I feel we’ve carried out all of the due diligence to verify he’s in a great place,” Boone mentioned. “Every part we’ve gotten again has been good thus far. … It’s not one thing that bothers him enjoying. On sure days, it’s nearly like a chilly feeling. Every so often, he has days the place it simply doesn’t have a number of circulation in there.”
Due to the latest checks, Boone mentioned he doesn’t anticipate Wells to play till Wednesday. J.C. Escarra is slated to catch Monday and Tuesday in opposition to Toronto.
Although Boone mentioned the circulation situation has not affected Wells’ batting or fielding, he mentioned Wells has regarded “somewhat off to me” lately on the plate. Wells is slashing .214/.275/.424 this season with 13 doubles, one triple, 11 homers and 45 RBIs in 69 video games.
“He’s in all probability been chasing somewhat greater than he’s used to,” Boone mentioned. “I feel all of it begins with getting began into your robust hitting place on time. When he does that, we all know what he’s able to.”
To exchange Cruz within the bullpen for Monday’s sport, the Yankees signed right-hander Geoff Hartlieb to a Main League contract and chosen him to the energetic roster.
Hartlieb, 31, had a 3.34 ERA in 24 appearances spanning 35 innings for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. He has seen huge league time with the Pirates (2019-21), Mets (’21), Marlins (’23) and Rockies (’24).
“He did some actually good issues in [the] spring,” Boone mentioned. “He was positively a man that stood out, like, ‘This man goes to have the ability to assist us this yr.’”
