NEW YORK — The New York Yankees walked away with a 10-5 win over the Washington Nationals on Monday night, but bullpen issues once again overshadowed the result. Reliever Yerry De Los Santos allowed four earned runs in the ninth inning, turning what looked like a comfortable finish into a shaky ending.
The Yankees right-hander was optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre after the game. His demotion cleared a roster spot for Fernando Cruz, who will be activated Tuesday after missing two months with an oblique strain.
Yerry De Los Santos had pitched 2 2/3 scoreless innings in relief of rookie starter Cam Schlittler and was one strike away from locking down a combined shutout. With the bases loaded and two outs in the ninth, he walked Robert Hassell III on a full count to break the shutout.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone turned to Mark Leiter Jr., who promptly surrendered a grand slam to Jacob Young. It was Young’s first home run of the season. Three of the four runs were charged to De Los Santos.
“A win is a win, but to give up 5 runs in the 9th to the Nationals?” a social media post read. “That bullpen needs attention ASAP.”
Familiar pattern for Yankees roster flexibility
The move continued a pattern for De Los Santos this season. The Yankees have used his minor league options repeatedly, sending him back to Triple-A after long relief outings.
He leaves with a 3.28 ERA over 25 appearances in 2025, though his future role with the organization remains uncertain. September Yankees roster expansion to 28 players could allow him another chance, but competition will be stiff. Ian Hamilton and Jake Bird are already at Triple-A, and Ryan Yarbrough is close to finishing a rehab assignment.
Cruz return provides much-needed reinforcement
The Yankees are counting on Cruz to bring stability. Before landing on the injured list, he carried a 3.00 ERA across 33 innings while striking out 41.2 percent of opposing hitters. That strikeout rate leads all pitchers in baseball with at least 30 innings this season.
His return comes at a critical moment with the Yankees holding the second AL Wild Card spot, just one game ahead of Seattle with 30 games left.
“Just keep doing it,” Boone said when asked about Cruz’s consistency. “Pounding the zone. I feel he’s doing a really good job mixing his fastball and changeup.”
Williams shows promise amid ongoing concerns
While the Yankees bullpen has struggled, Devin Williams has recently emerged as a steady presence in a setup role. The former Milwaukee closer has strung together seven strong outings after a rough stretch earlier this month.
Williams retired the side in order during the eighth inning of Sunday’s 7-2 win over Boston, setting down Alex Bregman, Roman Anthony and Trevor Story. Over his last 6 1/3 innings, he has allowed just two hits and one walk while striking out 15 without giving up a run.
“It’s really good to see him continue to pitch really well around a lot of things that have gone on this year,” Boone said. “It’s a credit to him and the quality of pitcher he is, but [also] the fortitude of just ‘keep going’ because, certainly, that’s what he’s capable of.”
Williams’ debut season in pinstripes has been inconsistent. After stretches of dominance in May and June, struggles followed in July that raised questions about his Yankees role. Boone acknowledged the rollercoaster.
“There were just a couple [bad] outings there off a couple [good] months,” Boone said. “But it’s on the heels of the start of the season. He’s a great pitcher and has been for a long time. This is what he’s capable of.”
Bullpen depth remains critical issue
Monday’s ninth-inning scare was a reminder of the bullpen’s ongoing instability. Fatigue and inconsistency have plagued the relief corps, forcing the Yankees to shuffle pitchers constantly between New York and Scranton.
The quick decision to send De Los Santos down underscored how little room for error remains. Cruz’s return, paired with Williams’ recent form, gives Boone more options as the club pushes toward October.
With a playoff spot still in play, the Yankees’ hopes may ultimately hinge on whether the bullpen can deliver in high-leverage situations. Cruz provides a boost, but the depth behind him will determine how long New York can last when the postseason begins.
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