The Yankees’ bullpen picture keeps getting murkier, and the latest blow came Wednesday when the club learned Fernando Cruz has a partial tear in his UCL. That could sideline him for the rest of the season and, if Tommy John Surgery is recommended, most of next year as well.
New York has already tried to patch things together by bringing in Justin Topa and Michael Fulmer, but those additions underline how thin the relief corps has become. At this point in their careers, both are the kind of arms that shuttle between Triple-A and the Majors, not the kind of late-season reinforcements that solve everything. The Yankees also came away from the trade deadline without adding a reliever, and that decision is now showing up in a big way for the AL East club.
With the bullpen stretched and overworked, the Yankees may have to keep shopping in the free agent market for another veteran arm. One name that has come up is Zack Littell, who cleared waivers after being released earlier this week by the Diamondbacks.
"Source: The Yankees are among teams that have at least checked in on Zack Littell, who cleared waivers today after being released earlier this week by the Diamondbacks," the New York Post's Joel Sherman wrote on X.
Littell, 30, struggled badly in Arizona, giving up 10 earned runs on 21 hits, including five home runs, over just 12 innings. His season started with the Washington Nationals, where he posted a 4.97 ERA in 24 appearances. He also made 14 starts for Washington, though most of his career has come out of the bullpen.
For now, the Yankees are trying to bridge the gap until Ryan Weathers and Clarke Schmidt come off the IL. Littell, if they do move on him, looks like the sort of pitcher who can soak up innings - and not much more.
In Other News...
Former Rays Infielder Emerges In Astros GM Search
The Astros offseason search for a new general manager could have a familiar name attached to it, and for Rays followers it is a name with old ties. Houston fired Dana Brown, leaving owner Jim Crane to oversee baseball operations in the interim, and the club is expected to conduct a full search before the winter settles in. MLB Networks Jon Morosi has already floated Will Rhymes as a possible candidate, a noteworthy mention given his path from the field to the front office.
Rhymes spent time as a Major League infielder before moving into the executive side, where he is now part of the Dodgers front office. For a Rays audience, it is the kind of cross-check from the baseball world that stands out because it connects an old player development name to one of the sports more aggressive organizations. Whether Houston truly gravitates toward that profile remains to be seen, but the search is just getting started and Rhymes is at least on the radar. [Read more 🡒]
Former Rays Arm Zack Littell Suddenly Faces A Harsh New Reality
Zack Littells season has taken another sharp turn, with the Arizona Diamondbacks placing the former Rays right-hander on release waivers after designating him for assignment. Littell had only recently landed in Arizona after starting the year with the Washington Nationals, but his brief run with the Diamondbacks never found much footing.
In 12 innings for Arizona, Littell allowed 10 earned runs and five home runs, a stretch that left him in a difficult spot almost as soon as he arrived. For Tampa Bay, it is another reminder of how quickly pitching careers can swing from one opportunity to the next, especially for a pitcher trying to hold onto a role in the big leagues. [Read more 🡒]
Junior Caminero Is Giving Rays Fans A Franchise Cornerstone To Believe In
Junior Caminero keeps giving Rays fans another reason to treat this season as more than a hot start. ESPNs midseason list of the top 50 players put the young infielder at No. 7, a ranking that reflects how quickly he has moved from promising talent to one of the games most productive hitters. In a year when Tampa Bay has spent meaningful time atop the AL East, Caminero has been a central part of the lineups force, pairing loud power with a more controlled approach at the plate.
The offensive growth has stood out as much as the numbers themselves. Caminero has drawn walks at a strong rate while cutting down on strikeouts, and his production has put him near the top of the American League in home runs, RBIs, OPS and slugging percentage. For a Rays club that has often had to develop its identity on the fly, his rise is starting to look less like a breakout and more like the foundation of something longer lasting. [Read more 🡒]