The New York Yankees could be facing another significant injury blow ahead of the postseason, as right-hander Jake Cousins exited Thursday’s game against the Seattle Mariners with a suspected injury. Cousins, who replaced the starter in the sixth inning, faced just two batters before leaving the mound. His velocity noticeably dropped, and it was later reported by the New York Post that he experienced right pectoral tightness, raising concerns about his availability for the playoffs.
Yankees’ concern grows after Jake Cousins’ strikeout
Jake Cousins replaced starter Clarke Schmidt but immediately ran into trouble. After hitting Josh Rojas with his second pitch, Cousins recovered to strike out Julio Rodríguez. However, something during that strikeout caught the Yankees’ attention, prompting manager Aaron Boone and the training staff to rush to the mound. After a brief discussion, Cousins was pulled from the game and escorted off the field by a trainer. Left-hander Tim Hill took over on the mound.
The Yankees later announced that Jake Cousins had exited due to right pectoral tightness, but no further details were provided regarding the severity of the injury. The timing could not be worse for the Yankees, who are dealing with several injuries as they prepare for a potential playoff run.
Jake Cousins, 30, has been a reliable part of the Yankees’ bullpen since being called up from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on June 27. In 34.2 innings this season, he posted an impressive 2.34 ERA with 48 strikeouts and 17 walks. He had become a trusted arm in high-leverage situations, gradually earning a key role in the Yankees’ bullpen.
Despite only throwing six pitches in the game, Jake Cousins’ velocity was noticeably lower than usual. His sinker clocked in at just 90.4 mph, compared to his season average of 95.1 mph, while his four-seam fastball topped out at 91.8 mph, well below his usual 94.9 mph. This drop in velocity raised concerns, especially after beat reporter Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News pointed out that Cousins had his shoulder and arm heavily wrapped before the game. Phillips also noted that Cousins had not pitched since a brief 11-pitch outing on September 15, suggesting that the pitcher may have been dealing with discomfort before Thursday’s appearance.
If Jake Cousins’ pectoral injury turns out to be serious, it would be a significant blow to the Yankees’ bullpen. New York has struggled with consistency in the relief corps throughout the season, lacking a designated closer. Losing Cousins for an extended period would put even more pressure on an already depleted bullpen as the team gears up for October.
Unfortunately for the Yankees, the game didn’t go in their favor, as they were defeated 3-2 by the Mariners. This loss, combined with Cousins’ injury, adds to the challenges the Yankees are facing as they near the postseason.
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