Second injury blow for Yankees’ bullpen, Cousins down with forearm strain

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The New York Yankees’ 2025 spring training campaign has barely begun, yet the organization already confronts significant pitching challenges. Jake Cousins, who emerged as a crucial component of the Yankees’ 2024 World Series bullpen, finds himself sidelined with a right forearm strain, casting uncertainty over his availability for Opening Day.

Aaron Boone, addressing media concerns about Cousins’ status, acknowledged that the recovery timeline remains fluid, indicating the injury “could leak into Opening Day.” The team has implemented a conservative approach, placing the 30-year-old right-hander on a three-to-four-week suspension from throwing activities while carefully evaluating his recovery progress.

“He seems to be doing well and progressing how he should, so I’d like to think it’s a bump in the road,” Boone explained. “But we’ll see. He’s got to clear a lot of hurdles to get back to the point of where he was last year. We think he’s going to be OK, but technically, we’re still in the early stages.”

Understanding Cousins’ value to Yankees’ pen

Cousins established himself as an indispensable late-inning option for the Yankees throughout the previous season, maintaining an impressive 2.37 ERA across 37 appearances following his acquisition from the Chicago White Sox on March 31. Standing 6-foot-4 and weighing 190 pounds, the right-hander’s effectiveness stems from a devastating combination of sinker and slider, proving equally troublesome for batters from both sides of the plate.

His dominance in 2024 manifested in remarkable opposing batting averages: right-handed hitters managed just a .163 average, while left-handed batters fared even worse at .132. Boone emphasized Cousins’ significance to the team’s success, particularly during the season’s latter half.

“There’s no question he played a really important role for us, especially in the second half of the season,” Boone noted.

Though Cousins began 2024 in Triple-A, his promotion to the major league roster on June 27 marked the beginning of a remarkable run of consistency. His momentum was temporarily halted by a right pectoral strain on September 22, and while he returned for postseason action, his effectiveness diminished, yielding five runs on six hits across five innings in six playoff appearances.

Given the Yankees’ plans to utilize Cousins as a primary setup option for newly acquired closer Devin Williams, his health status remains a critical factor in the team’s early-season bullpen configuration.

Additional pitching injuries concern Yankees

Cousins’ situation represents just one aspect of the Yankees’ early spring training health challenges, as the team closely monitors the progress of both Jonathan Loaisiga and Clayton Beeter, each working through their own recovery processes.

Jonathan Loaisiga’s post-surgery progression

The 30-year-old Loaisiga, whose previous contributions to the Yankees’ bullpen proved invaluable, continues his rehabilitation following UCL surgery performed last April. After recommitting to the Yankees through a one-year, $5 million contract in December, Loaisiga targets a May return to active duty.

His eventual return could provide crucial reinforcement to the bullpen, particularly given his proven ability to handle high-pressure situations when healthy.

Clayton Beeter’s injury outlook

Another situation warranting attention involves Clayton Beeter, a promising 26-year-old right-hander acquired from Los Angeles in the 2022 Joey Gallo trade. Beeter, who made his major league debut in 2024, currently manages a minor shoulder condition, though Boone expresses optimism about his progress.

“He’s already throwing sides, but he’s a little behind as far as the build-up goes,” Boone reported.

Ranked as the Yankees’ No. 19 prospect by MLB Pipeline, Beeter’s arsenal features a complementary mix of fastball, curveball, and slider. While his immediate role remains undetermined between major and minor league assignments, the organization maintains high expectations for his potential impact during the 2025 campaign.

Evaluating early bullpen dynamics

Despite these health-related challenges, the Yankees enter 2025 with considerable bullpen depth, featuring established arms like Devin Williams, Luke Weaver, and Victor González. However, an extended absence from Cousins could necessitate increased reliance on developing talent in the season’s early stages.

As Opening Day approaches, the organization’s attention remains focused on the rehabilitation progress of Cousins, Loaisiga, and Beeter, while simultaneously working to prevent additional setbacks that could impact their championship aspirations for 2025. The coming weeks will prove crucial in determining how effectively the Yankees can navigate these early pitching challenges while maintaining their competitive position in the American League landscape.

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