The New York Yankees need to make a move with this pitcher now.
The New York Yankees' starting rotation has been brilliant thus far in 2026, and that's without two of their top three starters in Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodon, both of whom will be returning soon.
The Yankees' bullpen, however, has been a bit shaky.
While New York's relievers own a very solid combined 3.51 ERA, there is no question there have been some hiccups. David Bednar has been wobbly in the closer role, and both Camilo Doval and Jake Bird have been up and down.
The good news is that the Yankees have plenty of time to address the issue, and chances are that Ryan Weathers will be down in the pen once Cole and Rodon return. That should provide New York's relief staff with a big lift.
However, the Yanks have another arm in their system that should absolutely be getting the call to the big leagues any moment now: Yovanny Cruz.
Cruz briefly flashed electrifying stuff in four Spring Training appearances, but was sent down to Triple-A before the season began.
New York Yankees pitcher Yovanny Cruz. Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images.The 26-year-old has continued lighting it up at Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, logging a 0.69 ERA while allowing just six hits and racking up 17 strikeouts over 13 innings of work. What's more, he has only issues four walks, which had been a problem for him in the past (Cruz owns a lifetime 4.2 BB/9 in the minor leagues).
Cruz possesses a scorching 102 mph fastball which he combines with some filthy breaking stuff, giving him significant potential as a late-inning reliever.
So with the Yankees needing another pitcher at the back end of their bullpen, why not promote Cruz now and see what he has?
Cruz isn't on New York's 40-man roster, but the Yankees can simply DFA someone (like Max Schuemann, for example) to make room for him.
The Dominican native has yet to pitch in the major leagues, but he made his minor-league debut with the Chicago Cubs back in 2017. He has also spent time with the San Francisco Giants and Boston Red Sox, owning a career 3.35 ERA while averaging 10.3 strikeouts per nine innings.
Cruz's profile fits exactly what New York — and most teams — typically look for in high-leverage relievers, and he could be everything the Yankees hoped they were getting in Angel Chivilli, who is now on the injured list.
New York should not wait much longer to bring Cruz up to The Show.
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