Yankees Make Strategic Bullpen Move After Cruz Injury

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Kristie Ackert | Last updated Jun 30, 2025 5:33 PM ET

The Yankees’ bullpen took a hit . Monday with a move that could have longer-term implications.

New York selected the contract of right-handed reliever Geoff Hartlieb, bringing the 30-year-old back to the big leagues for the first time since 2022. To make room, the Yankees placed Fernando Cruz on the 15-day injured list with a left oblique strain.

Cruz had become a trusted option in Aaron Boone’s bridge to the late innings before Monday’s oblique injury landed him on the IL.

In 35 appearances this season, the 34-year-old righty posted a 3.00 ERA with 54 strikeouts in 33 innings. That’s a 14.7 K/9 rate — elite swing-and-miss stuff, especially against right-handed hitters, who managed just a .167 average off him. His splitter had been a real weapon lately, and even with a few too many walks,

Hartlieb, a hard-throwing sinker-slider reliever who’s been solid at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre this season. In 34 appearances, he’s posted a 2.89 ERA with 44 strikeouts in 43.2 innings, limiting opposing batters to a .215 average. Originally a Pirates draft pick, Hartlieb has bounced between organizations but brings swing-and-miss stuff and ground-ball potential to a bullpen that suddenly looks thin.

They also designated infielder CJ Alexander for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster.

Alexander, acquired last winter in a minor deal, never cracked the Yankees’ infield picture. His glove remains solid, but the bat hasn’t developed. By DFA’ing the 27-year-old, the Yankees clear a 40-man spot for Hartlieb while potentially risking Alexander on waivers.

The promotion of Hartlieb underscores the idea the Yankees can’t afford to lose bullpen depth at this point in the season. With the trade deadline just weeks away, Hartlieb’s gets a chance to audition on the big stage.

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

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