The Yankees lost a key arm but gained a veteran ready to work right now. Manager Aaron Boone is not waiting for the roster to settle. He expects Michael Fulmer to face immediate pressure in the bullpen. According to MLB.com, this action follows Fernando Cruz’s placement on the injured list due to a partial tear in his right ulnar collateral ligament. The team acted fast to fill the void left by the 36-year-old pitcher.
A Quick Fix for a Sticky Situation
Cruz’s injury happened after a rough outing against Houston. Jeremy Peña hit a two-run homer to tie the game during Tuesday’s 9-7 defeat. Boone indicated that the IL placement resulted from follow-up testing. The manager noted that testing occurred “late last night,” per report.
Cruz told the team he “just felt like something on one of his pitches maybe didn’t feel right,” Boone added. While surgery is on the table, the team needed a replacement immediately. They signed veteran Michael Fulmer to a major-league deal, reports Pinstripe Alley. Although he missed the 2024 season after elbow surgery, Fulmer offers valuable experience.
Boone Has Big Plans for Fulmer
Do not expect Fulmer to ease into the role with a few mop-up innings. Boone made it clear that the new addition will see heavy use. “They’re probably going to jump into the deep end,” Boone said, according to MLB.com. The manager knows the late season demands more than just throwing strikes. “It’s that time of year,” Boone noted. “The reality is, on any given day … they’re going to find themselves in leverage situations,” he explained. Fulmer proved he can handle the pressure on Wednesday night. In the Yankees’ 9-3 victory over the Astros, he threw a perfect inning. That same night, Boone utilized him to guard a lead during the eighth inning.
Stats Show Fulmer Still Has Gas
Some might worry about Fulmer’s recent history, but the numbers tell a different story. He has been throwing the ball well since his return. SBN Yankees’ Pinstripe Alley states Fulmer remains capable of throwing his fastball over 95 mph. He mixes in a sweeper, curve, and change to keep hitters off balance. This depth is crucial for a team chasing a championship. The Yankees also recalled Elmer RodrÃguez to start the game. While RodrÃguez has a sparkling 2.59 ERA in the minors, his 4.3 BB/9 rate suggests he needs time to find his groove. Fulmer offers a steadier hand for the high-stakes innings.
The team sent Bradley Hanner to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to make room. With Cruz out and surgery looming, the bullpen relies on Fulmer to get outs any way he can. “I’m a big proponent of getting outs any way I can,” Boone said. The Yankees have done what they must to stay in the hunt.
