Effross hits another roadblock in recovery while fellow Yankees arm nears return

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It was supposed to be a quiet step forward in Scott Effross’ long road back. Instead, the Yankees reliever is once again stuck on pause.

Effross has suffered a setback in his recovery from a hamstring strain, Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Friday before the series opener in Pittsburgh. There’s no updated timetable for his return, and depending on the severity, it could erase the momentum he built throughout March.

The right-hander hasn’t caught many breaks since arriving in the Bronx. Just months after the Yankees traded for him at the 2022 deadline, Effross underwent Tommy John surgery. A back procedure followed in December 2023. He didn’t pitch for the big-league club again until the final month of the 2024 season. His total body of work with New York stands at just 16 appearances, a reminder of how injuries have dominated what once looked like a high-upside acquisition from the Cubs.

Effross’ latest setback came on the very first pitch of his second spring training outing, back on February 25. He hasn’t taken the mound since.

Ian Hamilton nearing return in Detroit

While the news on Effross is discouraging, Boone did offer a handful of more optimistic updates regarding other relievers.

Ian Hamilton is expected to rejoin the bullpen next week in Detroit, once the Yankees begin the second leg of their road trip. An early spring infection delayed his ramp-up, prompting the team to place him on the injured list to open the season. He’s been building back through a rehab assignment.

Tyler Matzek on track for late-April activation

Tyler Matzek is nearing his return from an oblique injury. The veteran left-hander, who arrived in camp as a non-roster invitee, had a legitimate chance at breaking camp with the big-league club before the injury derailed his spring.

He’s already thrown live batting practice, and the next step could be another live session or the beginning of a rehab stint with Class-A Tampa. Boone said he expects Matzek to be ready before the calendar flips to May.

Jake Cousins and Luis Gil progressing slowly

Jake Cousins, recovering from a forearm issue, is expected to begin throwing within the next week. The Yankees moved him to the 60-day injured list on Opening Day to make room on the roster for infielder Pablo Reyes, which rules Cousins out until at least late May.

Luis Gil is still in the early stages of recovery from a high-grade lat strain. He’s expected to begin playing catch in about a week to 10 days. The reigning AL Rookie of the Year isn’t expected back for at least three months, and that timeline could shift depending on how his rehab progresses.

Jonathan Loaisiga eyes early May return

One key piece who could return sooner than expected is Jonathan Loaisiga. After undergoing UCL surgery in April of 2024, Loaisiga re-signed with the Yankees this offseason and has been steadily progressing through his rehab. During a recent interview, the right-hander said he’s aiming to return by late May, though Michael Kay noted on a recent YES Network broadcast that the club is optimistic Loaisiga could be back as soon as early May.

Loaisiga emphasized that he felt he “owed it to the team and the fans” to come back healthy and contribute. When right, he’s one of the most effective arms in the Yankees’ bullpen, with a 2.89 ERA over the past four seasons. Injuries have limited him to just 20 appearances across the last two years, but his return could help form a formidable relief core alongside Luke Weaver and Devin Williams.

Effross’ situation remains the most uncertain. What once seemed like a chance to regain footing early in the season now becomes another waiting game—for both the pitcher and the team that still believes in what he could bring, if only his body would cooperate.

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