LOS ANGELES \u2014 Two rehabbing Yankees pitchers threw live batting practice on Saturday, as Fernando Cruz and Marcus Stroman took the mound at Dodger Stadium.<\/p>\n
Cruz, on the injured list due to shoulder inflammation<\/a>, threw about 18 pitches to a hitting group that included Pablo Reyes and J.C. Escarra. So long as he recovers well from the session, the reliever is expected to be activated as soon as he\u2019s eligible on Tuesday.<\/p>\n Cruz went on the IL on May 22, though the move was retroactive to May 19. He wasn\u2019t exactly sure of the Yankees\u2019 plans for him, but he said, \u201cI feel ready.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cEverything felt good, effortless,\u201d he added. \u201cI wasn\u2019t even trying to throw hard, and it feels amazing.\u201d<\/p>\n Fernando Cruz strikes out Pablo Reyes. #Yankees<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/biAQHKV1Qd<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Gary Phillips (@GaryHPhillips) May 31, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n Cruz left the mound happy with his command and velocity. Meanwhile, Aaron Boone said \u201ceverything was solid.\u201d<\/p>\n Acquired from the Reds over the offseason<\/a>, Cruz quickly established himself as a strikeout machine with the Yankees, thanks in large part to his splitter. At the time of his IL designation, no reliever had more strikeouts than his 35.<\/p>\n Cruz also has a 2.66 ERA over 23.2 innings.<\/p>\n Stroman, meanwhile, threw 30-35 pitches over two innings, per Boone. The veteran, recovering from knee inflammation, faced hitters for the first time since May 9. That live batting practice led to a setback for the righty, as Boone said Stroman felt \u201cminor\u201d but \u201clingering\u201d discomfort in his knee afterward.<\/p>\n On Saturday, Boone said Stroman \u201clooked sharp,\u201d but he wasn\u2019t sure of the pitcher\u2019s next steps. Asked how much of a build up Stroman needs, Boone said, \u201cWe\u2019ll see.\u201d The manager wants to see how his knee responds in the coming days.<\/p>\n \u201cToday was another good step for him,\u201d Boone said.<\/p>\n With Fernando Cruz expected to throw live BP soon, Marcus Stroman is doing so as well. #Yankees<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/PpZLBt6vZZ<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Gary Phillips (@GaryHPhillips) May 31, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n SUNDAY STARTER SELECTED<\/p>\n The Yankees announced Ryan Yarbrough as their starter for Sunday\u2019s series finale against the Dodgers. They could have gone with their No. 2 starter, Carlos Rod\u00f3n, but Yarbrough has been effective since moving from the Yankees\u2019 bullpen to the rotation<\/a>.<\/p>\n Rod\u00f3n has also thrown a lot lately, as he is coming off a seven-inning outing against the Angels. He\u2019s thrown a season-high 105 pitches in each of his last two starts, as well as at least 95 pitches in each of his last five starts.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s actually going to be an extra two days now for [Rod\u00f3n] coming off a deep one the other day,\u201d Boone said. \u201cJust felt like it was probably the best, and that puts him in line to go Tuesday and Sunday now, which would be a five-day [schedule] on the next one. And obviously, Yarbs is throwing the ball really well, so we just felt like it was the best way.\u201d<\/p>\n Yarbrough will face the Dodgers after playing for them in the first half last season. The club gifted him a World Series ring on Friday.<\/p>\n \t\t\t