The Yankees non-tendered Cousins (elbow) on Friday, making him a free agent.

EDGE Analysis

The 31-year-old underwent Tommy John surgery in June, so it's not a major surprise the Yankees aren't tendering him a contract for 2026. Cousins didn't pitch last season due to the arm issues but was effective across 37 regular-season appearances for New York in 2024 with a 2.37 ERA and 53:20 K:BB over 38 innings.

Cousins announced on his personal Instagram account that he underwent Tommy John surgery Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

Cousins had been dealing with injuries to his throwing arm since spring and wasn't able to pitch in any games this season. If all goes well in his recovery from surgery, he could be ready to return to game action sometime during the summer of 2026.

Cousins will undergo Tommy John surgery on his right elbow Wednesday, Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports.

EDGE Analysis

Cousins has dealt with issues with his pitching arm since the beginning of spring training and recently experienced a setback that has prompted him to get season-ending surgery. He will be shelved at least until the middle of the 2026 season.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Wednesday that Cousins (forearm) appears to be dealing with a UCL injury, but the right-hander will receive further medical opinions before the diagnosis is confirmed, Jackson Stone of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Cousins was dealing with a right forearm strain upon reporting to spring training and opened the season on the injured list, and his rehab process was extended further in May, when he suffered a pectoral injury. He made enough progress with his throwing program to head out on a minor-league rehab assignment earlier this month, but he made just two appearances before experiencing his second setback of the season. If Cousins is in fact dealing with ligament damage in his elbow, his return would likely be pushed back until after the All-Star break if he elects to treat the injury with rest and rehab. Season-ending Tommy John surgery would also be a potential outcome.

The Yankees paused Cousins' (forearm/pectoral) rehab assignment Tuesday due to an elbow issue, Erik Boland of Newsday reports.

EDGE Analysis

The team is still waiting for the results of an MRI that Cousins received Tuesday, but there's a chance he may need to spend some more time on the injured list. The 30-year-old reliever has been on the shelf all year due to a forearm strain followed by a pectoral injury, though he was cleared to begin playing in minor-league games last week.

Cousins (forearm/pectoral) is expected to begin a rehab assignment Tuesday, Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports.

EDGE Analysis

Cousins has been on the shelf for the entirety of the 2025 season after suffering a forearm strain in February. The right-hander was on the cusp of returning to action in mid-May, but he sustained a pectoral injury, which slowed his progress. Considering the amount of time Cousins has missed, he'll likely require a handful of appearances on his rehab assignment, and it's currently unclear what level of the Yankees' minor-league system he'll report to.

Cousins (forearm/pectoral) threw a side session of approximately 30 pitches Saturday, per MLB.com.

EDGE Analysis

Cousins was temporarily shut down from throwing in mid-May due to a pectoral injury, but the righty reliever has since been able to return to his throwing progression. Cousins has been on the IL all season due to a right forearm strain, and he's expected to be ready to join the Yankees' bullpen sometime in June if he doesn't have any additional setbacks.

Manager Aaron Boone said Saturday that Cousins (forearm) has been shut down for a few days due to a pectoral injury, Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports.

EDGE Analysis

Boone added that Cousins' latest injury isn't anything too serious, so the team seems to just be sitting him down as a precaution. The 30-year-old reliever has been working his way back from a right forearm strain since the start of the season and should still be able to make it back to the Yankees' bullpen in June, assuming his pec injury doesn't evolve into anything severe.

Cousins (forearm) said May 6 that he's hopeful to return from the 60-day injured list in early-to-mid June, MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Cousins is eligible for activation May 26, but he looks like he'll need another week or two beyond that before making his 2025 debut with the Yankees. The 30-year-old reliever is on the mend from a right forearm strain but took a major step forward in the recovery process earlier this month, when he faced hitters in live batting practice. He could soon be ready to head out on a minor-league rehab assignment.

Cousins (elbow) is targeting a return in early-to-mid June, Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports.

EDGE Analysis

Cousins will throw another bullpen session Friday and is about two weeks away from facing hitters. He'll need a rehab assignment at some point after that. The reliever is recovering from a right elbow flexor strain.