NEW YORK -- The Yankees shuffled their bullpen ahead of Wednesday’s game against the Astros, placing right-hander Fernando Cruz on the 15-day injured list with right elbow discomfort while signing right-hander Michael Fulmer to a Major League contract.
Cruz surrendered a game-tying two-run homer to Jeremy Peña in Tuesday’s 9-7 loss to Houston. Though he said after the outing that he is healthy, he has a 5.52 ERA in 17 appearances since the All-Star break and was seen leaving the clubhouse with head athletic trainer Tim Lentych.
Fulmer, 33, made three relief appearances with the Angels this season. He has spent the majority of the year in Triple-A with Sacramento (Giants) and Salt Lake (Angels), combining to go 4-2 with 10 saves and a 2.93 ERA.
The Angels designated Fulmer for assignment on Sunday, and he elected free agency on Tuesday, signing a Minor League deal with the Yankees. Fulmer was the American League’s Rookie of the Year in 2016.
Including Justin Topa, who was added to the roster on Tuesday, the Yankees are looking to plug vacancies on their pitching staff until Max Fried, Clarke Schmidt and Ryan Weathers are ready to return.
Elmer Rodríguez is starting Wednesday’s game, with Fried likely set to return for one of the games of Saturday’s doubleheader against the Red Sox. Schmidt and Weathers are further down the line as potential bullpen options.
The Yankees also optioned right-hander Bradley Hanner to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and transferred right-hander Kervin Castro to the 60-day injured list.