Yankees place reliever Fernando Cruz (shoulder) on IL

Field Level Media|published: 05/22/2025, 12:17pm EDT

May 17, 2025; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees relief pitcher Fernando Cruz (63) reacts during the ninth inning against the New York Mets at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

The New York Yankees placed reliever Fernando Cruz on the 15-day injured list Thursday with inflammation in his right shoulder.

The move is retroactive to Monday for the 35-year-old right-hander, who has not pitched since last Saturday's 3-2 loss to the New York Mets.

Cruz is 1-2 with a 2.66 ERA and two saves in 21 relief appearances this season, his first with the Yankees. He was acquired in a December trade with the Cincinnati Reds.

Overall, Cruz is 5-13 with a 4.26 ERA in 162 games (seven starts) with the Reds (2022-24) and Yankees.

New York recalled left-hander Brent Headrick from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in a corresponding move.

Headrick, 27, appeared in four games for the Yankees in March and April, allowing no runs on one hit in 5 1/3 innings. He struck out nine and walked two.

--Field Level Media