Yankees’ key piece is flashing warning lights: ‘They beat our guys tonight’ | Klapisch

NEW YORK — The Yankees' frustrating 9-7 loss to the Astros was only minutes old, but the wheels were already in motion in the post-game clubhouse.

Reliever Fernando Cruz , who'd pitched poorly yet again, was at his locker when manager Aaron Boone and a trainer summoned him across the room. The reliever spoke quietly to both, then had a separate conversation with Jason Zillo, the Yankees media relations director and VP of Communications.

Finally, closer David Bednar came over to pat Cruz on the shoulder and offer words of encouragement.

It was only then that Cruz made himself available to the press. He spoke cryptically about the two-run home run he surrendered to Jeremy Pena , and a 6.75 ERA in August, before finally revealing the real culprit.

"This is the part of the year that's a marathon," Cruz said, before adding, "all these things come with our long season."

Translated: Cruz's arm is tired; at 54.2 innings, he's already exceeded last year's workload (48 innings) and is all but certain to surpass his career high (66.2 innings) in 2024.

All indications are Cruz is headed to the injured list today. His roster spot will be filled by Triple-A call-up Elmer Rodriguez, who will start against the Astros tonight.

For Wednesday's matchup versus the Astros, Yankees moneyline is listed at -115 on DraftKings . Our complete DraftKings Sportsbook review shows you how to navigate through their app.

Cruz's regression reveals a greater warning sign for the Yankees bullpen, which blew three leads to the Astros on Tuesday. Boone's circle of trust consists of three irreplaceable pieces – Bednar and set-up men Brent Headrick and Paul Blackburn – all of whom are being heavily relied upon this summer.

There's a fine line between steady use and grinding a reliever into dust. The Yankees' success in the final 31 games of the regular season depends on whether Boone can avoid crossing that divide.

Cruz is the first casualty, but Headrick, who leads all MLB relievers with 68 appearances, was suspiciously ineffective against Houston , too. Is he also showing signs of fatigue?

It's not an unreasonable question. Headrick lasted only two-thirds of an inning in the eighth, allowing four of the six batters he faced to reach base. In all, Headrick was charged with three runs, which put the game out of reach for the Yankees. It was his worst outing of the season.

Although Headrick insists he feels fine – "sometimes you don't make pitches when you want to, that's baseball" - the ease with which the Astros pummeled him had to be unsettling for Boone.

The manager was the first to admit, "they beat our guys tonight."

"I was reluctant to even use (Headrick)," Boone said. "We'll pick our spots…we're paying attention to that."

Here's the red flag: the Yankees have relied heavily on their bullpen since losing Aaron Judge in May. That success - a 3.05 ERA, second in the majors - has come at a cost.

Now the real crunch is just around the corner. The Yankees blew a chance to pull within two games of the first place Rays – who lost for the eighth time in 12 games in Detroit Tuesday night.

Meanwhile, Boston has crept to within two games of the Yankees in the loss column in the wild card race.

The biggest series of the season will take place this weekend against the Sox. It'll be a four-game showdown, and it's not enough the Sox are on a roll. They'll be especially dangerous with the expected return of slugger Roman Anthony on Friday. He's been out for 60 games with a partially torn tendon in his right ring finger.

The news isn't all bad for the Yankees, though. Assuming Rodriguez gets the ball tonight against Houston, he'll be riding a gust of momentum. He's allowed just four earned runs in his last 26 innings (1.38 ERA) at Triple-A. More importantly, Rodriguez, who's had trouble controlling his 100-mph fastball, has walked only one batter in his last 12 innings.

Also, it looks like Max Fried's rehab from a left elbow bone bruise is complete. Boone said it's likely the lefthander will start one of the two games in Saturday's doubleheader against Boston.

What's missing, of course, is Judge, who'll need another two weeks before he's re-activated. The captain's return will be an unquantifiable boost to the offense, not to mention the morale in the clubhouse. But it's worth noting how quickly Luis Garcia has

turned into a middle of the order weapon.

He went 4-for-5 with three RBIs, including a two-run HR in the fifth inning. Including his output with the Nationals before the Yankees acquired him at the trade deadline, Garcia now has 27 home runs on the season.

He's left-handed, smart, strong - and disciplined enough to say "I try not to think about it" when asked about how close the right field porch feels.

"If you do, you get too long (in your swing)," Garcia said. "It can change your swing and affect you negatively."

Pairing Garcia with a healthy Judge and Cody Bellinger is Boone's fever dream down the stretch. But first things first: the bullpen has to be nursed through the treacherous final weeks of late August.

Ironically, the Yankees were feeling confident about that very issue before the Astros ambushed them.

"I think (Boone) has kind of evolved in his bullpen utilization," pitching coach Matt Blake told Newsday's David Lennon. "Obviously his strength is communicating with the guys and understanding them."

Boone is indeed a smart guy. But recognizing the dog days is one thing - navigating them is another.

They're here and have already claimed one reliever.

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