Yankees' Aaron Boone announces injury news after loss to Blue Jays

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Josh E. Valdez | Last updated Jul 1, 2025 5:04 PM ET

The New York Yankees were up 3-1 in the sixth inning of Monday's clash against the Toronto Blue Jays before their night turned for the worse. Toronto scored five runs in the bottom of the frame and won the game 5-4, shrinking New York's lead over it in the standings to two games.

The Yankees are still first place in the AL East, but are just 1.5 games ahead of the second-place Tampa Bay Rays. On top of that, outfielder Trent Grisham exited early after suffering a hamstring injury. The 28-year-old is slashing .246/.348/.467 with 15 homers and 32 RBI over 72 games.

New York manager Aaron Boone revealed more injury news as well postgame, via The Athletic's Chris Kirschner.

Fernando Cruz has a high grade oblique strain, Boone said
— Chris Kirschner (@ChrisKirschner) July 1, 2025

The right-hander has a high-grade oblique strain.

Cruz is 2-3 with a 3:00 ERA over 32 appearances this season. The 35-year-old also has two saves out of three opportunities, along with nine holds.

The Kansas City Royals drafted Cruz No. 186 overall in 2007 as an infielder before he converted to a pitcher in 2011. The Royals then released him in October 2012 before the Chicago Cubs signed him to a minor league deal in December 2014.

Chicago also released Cruz in March 2016, and he went on to play professionally in Canada and Mexico. The Cincinnati Reds picked him up in February 2022, and he made his MLB debut in September of that year.

The Reds then traded Cruz and Alex Jackson to the Yankees for Jose Trevino in December 2024.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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