The New York Yankees already-taxed bullpen got some more bad news Tuesday.
Reliever Jake Cousins, who showcased an effective arm out of New York’s bullpen in 2024, was shut down due to an elbow injury while making a rehab appearance for Single-A Hudson Valley.
Cousins was sent for imaging on his elbow, according to Yankees manager Aaron Boone. Cousins, who was plucked off waivers from the Chicago White Sox in the winter of 2024, went 2-1 with a 2.37 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, eight holds and one save last year, helping the Yankees win the American League East.
In five playoff innings last season, Cousins went 0-1 with a 9.00 ERA.
Why Did The Yankees Shut Down Jake Cousins?
Cousins was working his way back from oblique and forearm injuries. The Yankees were hoping if all went well that Cousins could provide some in-house reinforcements, since their pen has struggled of late without closer Luke Weaver.
But according to Boone, Cousins had an issue and had to be shut down.
“He felt some stuff in his elbow,” Boone said, according to the New York Post.
Why Is Jake Cousins’ Injury A Problem For The Yankees?
New York’s pitching has been a strength, since it ranks seventh in the AL in ERA (3.76). But the Yankees bullpen has been an issue since Weaver went on the IL with a hamstring strain, which ESPN reported could coast him four to six weeks.
The Yankees have three relievers, Devin Williams (-0.5), Brent Headrick (-0.1) and Ian Hamilton (-0.1) with a negative WAR this year, and each has taken on a more prominent role in Weaver’s absence. Jonathan Loaisiga, another high-leverage right-handed reliever, has given up four runs — on four home runs — in his past 4 1/3 innings.
Plus, Fernando Cruz, who was effective before landing on the IL with right shoulder inflammation, has allowed three runs and four hits in 2 2/3 innings over three appearances since he came off the injured list.
So even though he isn’t exactly a household name, Cousins was hoping to provide some much-needed relief to the Yankees bullpen, especially since he earned Boone’s trust in 2024.
The Yankees were likely to target bullpen upgrades at the trade deadline anyway — they have been linked to David Bednar of the Pittsburgh Pirates among others. But New York will likely need to make a pitching move sooner rather than later, since the trade deadline is about six weeks away.
Is There Any Good News For Yankees Pitching?
Things may seem bleak for the Yankees pitching, but they still have Max Fried and Carlos Rodon, each of whom has pitched like an ace. Fried should be in the American League Cy Young conversation, since he is 9-1 with a 1.84 ERA, and Rodon is 8-4 with a sub-3.00 ERA as well.
Plus, New York reportedly is close to getting adding another starting pitcher in Marcus Stroman, who will begin his own rehab stint this week at Double-A.
Stroman doesn’t miss bats, and he has a team-worst minus-0.6 WAR, but he can be a No. 5 starter and push lefty Ryan Yarbrough back to the bullpen, where he can be effective as either a situational reliever or long man.
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