Cruz signed a one-year, $1.45 million contract with the Yankees to avoid arbitration Thursday, Jack Curry of YES Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

Cruz spent the entire 2025 season with the Yankees and earned two saves with 16 holds across 49 appearances. He posted an even more impressive 72:24 K:BB, so he should be in line for a high-leverage role once again in 2026.

The Yankees activated Cruz (oblique) from the 15-day injured list Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

Cruz wound up missing two months of action with a strained left oblique but is ready to go following a brief rehab assignment. It's a big boost to the Yankees' bullpen, as Cruz boasts a 3.00 ERA and elite 41.2 percent strikeout rate in 2025.

Cruz (oblique) said that he will be activated from the 15-day injured list Tuesday, Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports.

EDGE Analysis

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said over the weekend that Cruz would be reinstated either Sunday or Monday, but the team now plans to wait and extra day before adding the reliever back to the 26-man active roster. Out since late June due to a left oblique strain, Cruz has posted a 3.00 ERA and 41.2 percent strikeout rate this season.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Saturday that Cruz (oblique) will be activated off the injured list Sunday or Monday, Max Goodman of NJ.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Cruz has made four minor-league rehab appearances and is just about ready to return to the big club's bullpen. Though his first two rehab outings were rough, the right-hander has bounced back by allowing one run over 2.1 innings with a 5:1 K:BB over his past two appearances. Cruz should have a prominent place in the Yankees' bullpen upon his return, though the trade-deadline acquisitions of David Bednar and Camilo Doval could push him down the pecking order to some extent.

Cruz (oblique) is slated to make a four-out minor-league rehab appearance Friday, and if that goes well, he could be activated from the injured list as soon as Monday, per MLB.com.

EDGE Analysis

Cruz landed on the injured list in late June due to a left oblique strain. The veteran reliever kicked off a minor-league rehab stint Aug. 14 and has appeared in three games so far (two with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and one with Double-A Somerset), allowing four runs on five hits with a 4:1 K:BB over 2.1 innings. Though those numbers are poor, Cruz's most recent outing was strong -- he struck out the side and gave up only one hit over one scoreless frame Tuesday. Once activated off the IL, Cruz should be a candidate for high-leverage work, though he may be eased back given his lengthy absence. He also may be lower on the depth chart than when he last pitched, as New York added David Bednar and Camilo Doval to the bullpen at the trade deadline.

Cruz (oblique) is slated to make three rehab appearances with Double-A Somerset before being activated from the 15-day injured list, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Cruz got through a 19-pitch live batting practice session Sunday, clearing the way for him to begin a rehab assignment. He's looking at a potential return toward the end of next week if all goes well. Cruz has been out since late June with a strained oblique.

Cruz (oblique) is scheduled to throw a live bullpen session with Double-A Somerset on Sunday, Peter Sblendorio of the New York Daily News reports.

EDGE Analysis

Cruz has been on the injured list since June 30 due to a severe left oblique strain. He began throwing bullpen sessions in late July and has shown enough progress to advance to facing hitters. Since Cruz's absence has already lasted over a month, he'll likely need to go on a minor-league rehab assignment before he's ready to rejoin the Yankees. Nonetheless, a return before the end of August is feasible.

Cruz (oblique) is slated to throw a bullpen session Friday, Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports.

EDGE Analysis

It will be the first time he's thrown off a mound since he went down with a left oblique strain in late June. Given the length of Cruz's absence, he's likely to require a few rehab appearances before rejoining the Yankees' bullpen. The 35-year-old boasts a 3.00 ERA and 41.2 percent strikeout rate this season.

Cruz (oblique) could return sometime in August, Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Updates have been few and far between since Cruz hit the IL on June 30 with a high-grade oblique strain. Per Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News, Cruz could start playing catch as soon as this weekend. Manager Aaron Boone said Friday that an August return is possible.

Manager Aaron Boone said Monday that Cruz (oblique) has a "high grade" strain, Erik Boland of Newsday reports.

EDGE Analysis

"Obviously, that will be some time," Boone added. Cruz was placed on the 15-day injured list Monday after he was injured in the weight room Sunday. Cruz is likely looking at an extended absence. The 35-year-old holds a 3.00 ERA and impressive 54:14 K:BB across 33 innings of relief this season.