Yankees place RHP Fernando Cruz (oblique) on IL

Field Level Media|published: Mon 30th June, 17:07 2025

MLB: Baltimore Orioles at New York Yankees

Jun 22, 2025; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees relief pitcher Fernando Cruz (63) reacts after striking out the side during the eighth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

The New York Yankees placed reliever Fernando Cruz on the injured list Monday with a left oblique strain.

The move is retroactive to June 28.

Cruz returned June 3 from a previous 15-day IL stint, that time for shoulder inflammation. The 35-year-old is 2-3 with a 3.00 ERA and two saves in 32 appearances out of the bullpen this season.

The Yankees also called up right-hander Geoff Hartlieb from Triple-A Scranton Wilkes-Barre.

Hartlieb, 31, is on his fifth major-league team, having compiled a 1-1 record with a 7.37 ERA and 76 strikeouts in 79.1 innings of relief with the Pittsburgh Pirates (2019-21), New York Mets (2021), Miami Marlins (2023) and Colorado Rockies (2024). He has a 3-2 record with a 3.34 ERA and two saves in 24 games in Triple-A this season.

In a corresponding move, infielder CJ Alexander was designated for assignment to open up room on the 40-man roster.

Alexander, 28, was claimed off waivers from the Athletics on June 8 but did not see any action with the Yankees. Across his 10 MLB games with the Athletics and the Kansas City Royals, he has gone 4-for-25 (.160) with no walks or extra-base hits.

--Field Level Media

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