The New York Yankees made a surprising move on Monday, placing veteran pitcher Carlos Carrasco on outright waivers, as reported by Joel Sherman of the New York Post. This decision has sparked speculation that the team is bracing for a roster shake-up, likely anticipating the return of a reliever from the injured list before Tuesday’s game. The leading candidate to bolster the bullpen is 35-year-old right-hander Fernando Cruz, who is set to return from a 15-day injured list stint due to right shoulder inflammation.
Cruz’s injury, which surfaced during a May 17 outing against the Mets, was addressed with a cortisone shot, and he is now eligible to rejoin the active roster on Tuesday. Before his injury, Cruz had proven himself a reliable asset in the Yankees’ bullpen, boasting a 2.66 ERA with 35 strikeouts over 23⅓ innings and securing two saves. His return could provide a much-needed boost, especially as the Yankees await updates on closer Luke Weaver, who suffered a hamstring injury on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Carrasco’s tenure with the Yankees has been rocky. The veteran pitcher, who started the season in a swing role, struggled with a 5.91 ERA across 32 innings. Designated for assignment last month, Carrasco cleared waivers and accepted an outright assignment to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. His performance there has been inconsistent, with one solid start overshadowed by a disastrous second outing where he surrendered five earned runs without escaping the second inning.
Given Carrasco’s recent waiver clearance, it seems unlikely another team will claim him, though a club desperate for pitching depth due to recent injuries might take a chance on the veteran. The Yankees’ decision to waive Carrasco signals a potential shift in strategy as they navigate bullpen uncertainties, raising questions about the stability of their relief corps heading into a critical stretch of the season.