The Yankees have been busy with a flurry of roster moves over the past 24 hours. The team placed right-hander Fernando Cruz on the 15-day injured list, picked up veteran reliever Geoff Hartlieb, and designated infielder CJ Alexander for assignment. Catcher Austin Wells is also day-to-day with circulation problems in his left index finger, and outfielder Trent Grisham left in the fifth inning of last night’s game in Toronto with hamstring tightness.
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Fernando Cruz lands on the IL
Fernando Cruz strained his left oblique while doing pre-game medicine-ball warmups. Manager Aaron Boone called the strain “high-grade” and said Cruz reported it Sunday morning. The IL designation is retroactive to June 28. Cruz will be out for at least three weeks, possibly into early August.
Before the injury, the 35-year-old right-hander had been a clutch bullpen piece for New York. In 32 appearances, he has a 3.00 ERA and a league-leading 41.2% strikeout percentage among qualified relievers. His splitter has been particularly effective, holding opponents to a .136 batting average. Losing Cruz will undoubtedly prove to be a blow to the bullpen’s swing-and-miss potential.
Bringing in Geoff Hartlieb
As a corresponding move, the Yankees selected the contract of righty Geoff Hartlieb from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. He’s pitched 35 innings in Triple-A this season with a 3.34 ERA, punching out more than 26% of batters faced and walking less than 7%. His reworked slider has seen some success with a 17.2% whiff rate. Nevertheless, Hartlieb’s overall major-league ERA remains an unsightly 7.37 in 79⅓ innings with five teams in his career.
Still, the Yankees think that his recent performance, combined with Matt Blake’s wizardry, can be turned into late-inning success. He’ll likely see most of his work in lower-leverage roles before graduating to setup or hold duties.
CJ Alexander DFA’d
To make space for Hartlieb, the Yankees designated CJ Alexander for assignment. The former Athletics first-round pick cleared waivers on June 8, but did not play in a major league game for the Yankees. He hit .196/.302/.196 in 53 plate appearances, which is well below what the club would have liked to see. His stints in Kansas City and with the A’s weren’t much better, hitting a paltry .160. The DFA allows the Yankees seven days to trade, release, or outright him.
Trent Grisham exits with a hamstring issue
Another blow followed, as outfielder Trent Grisham left Monday’s game in Toronto with left hamstring tightness. He exited in the fifth inning after attempting to chase down a sinking liner. Reports indicate hamstring tightness, though the severity remains unclear and is listed as day-to-day. Grisham had singled and scored earlier in the game, then was replaced by Jasson Domínguez while Cody Bellinger shifted to center field. Aaron Boone indicated it was too early to know how long Grisham might miss. He has slashed .244/.348/.467 with 15 home runs this season, quietly becoming a key contributor. His potential absence stretches the outfield depth and adds to an already injury-plagued roster. The Yankees will monitor his status closely before deciding on next steps.
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Austin Wells is dealing with finger numbness
Catcher Austin Wells is currently sidelined by arterial damage and numbness in his left index finger. Team doctors ruled out blood clots after tests and confirmed that Wells felt his finger get cold and change colors following repeated impact. Boone described it as “wear and tear of catching.” While the condition is not considered long-term, it has kept him out of the lineup for two straight games, with a return expected Wednesday. Wells has participated in additional diagnostic procedures, and all test results thus far have been reassuring.
Impact on the Yankees
So, how do these Yankees roster moves impact the team? Losing Cruz means New York must rely more on arms like Devin Williams, Luke Weaver, and Mark Leiter Jr. in high-leverage situations. Hartlieb, with his recent slider-heavy approach, might serve as a low-risk option while the team assesses bullpen stability this close to the trade deadline. Grisham’s hamstring issue complicates things further, possibly forcing Jasson Domínguez or Cody Bellinger into extended duty in center field. Alexander’s DFA doesn’t affect the on-field product directly but signals the front office’s willingness to prioritize pitching. And Austin Wells’ situation gives J.C. Escarra an opportunity for more reps at and behind home plate.
What comes next?
The Yankees’ roster moves are a short-term solution, but long-term bullpen health still depends on Cruz’s recovery timeline. In the meantime, Hartlieb could provide length or bridge the gap during the middle innings. The team will also monitor Jonathan Loaisiga and Mark Leiter Jr. to absorb Cruz’s absence more easily. With Grisham possibly day-to-day, outfield depth could hinge on Domínguez or Bellinger stepping up. These next few weeks will test both pitching and positional depth, especially if more injuries arise.
Conclusion
The Yankees’ roster moves reshape bullpen dynamics and roster flexibility. Fernando Cruz’s injury is a significant loss, but Geoff Hartlieb offers a stop-gap with recent Triple-A success. CJ Alexander’s DFA frees space and underscores the team’s focus on pitching. Trent Grisham’s hamstring issue adds further uncertainty but highlights the team’s resilience amid adversity. Austin Wells’ status remains uncertain, but he has very capable backups in J.C. Escarra and Ben Rice. As the summer progresses, these decisions will influence how effectively New York navigates injuries, depth challenges, and the looming trade deadline.
