
Yankees' Cruz Suffers Partial UCL Tear, Threatening October Bullpen
New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone confirmed that setup pitcher Fernando Cruz has a partially torn ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in his right elbow. The diagnosis, announced after a 9-3 win over the Houston Astros, likely ends Cruz's 2026 season. While Cruz is seeking second opinions to determine if he needs a full Tommy John reconstruction or an internal brace procedure, the injury creates a significant void in the Yankees' high-leverage bullpen for the upcoming postseason. Cruz had been the team's top setup arm, recording 19 holds and only three blown leads prior to August, though his performance declined recently with a 5.93 ERA since July 19.



