Jake Cousins’ rehab from a right elbow flexor strain has hit a snag in a different body part.
The Yankees reliever is four or five days into a shutdown because of a pec issue that popped up after his most recent live batting practice session, manager Aaron Boone said Saturday.
“We don’t think it’s anything serious, but enough to hold him back a few days,” Boone said before a 3-2 loss to the Mets in The Bronx.
Cousins had faced Giancarlo Stanton in his first live session on May 6 and then threw another, after which the pec issue arose.
He had been hoping to be back by mid-June, but this shutdown will almost certainly delay that timeline.
Boone said Cousins underwent tests on his pec, but did not seem concerned it could lead to something bigger.
“I just think it was him having a little bit of discomfort,” Boone said. “Hopefully it’s not anything serious.”
The Yankees already have a solid bullpen and got more whole on Friday when Jonathan Loáisiga was activated off the IL.
Jake Cousins has been recovering from an elbow issue.Jason Szenes / New York Post
They also have Scott Effross on a rehab assignment right now and Clayton Beeter just finished his before being optioned to Triple-A, where he is providing depth should they need a fresh arm.
But if Cousins can get healthy, he would provide another back-end option with high strikeout potential after turning into a high-leverage arm by the end of last season.
The 30-year-old righty posted a 2.37 ERA with 53 strikeouts in 38 innings in 2024.
Jake Cousins walks off the mound during Game 2 of the 2024 World Series.Jason Szenes / New York Post
Clarke Schmidt retired the first nine batters he faced on 27 pitches before running into trouble in the fourth, needing 25 pitches to get three outs while allowing two runs.
The right-hander walked three batters in the frame — tying a career-high with five on the day — but was fortunate it did not turn into something worse.
“Just got a little too passive,” Schmidt said. “Kind of felt like we were trying to anticipate the adjustments rather than continuing to stay with the strengths and continuing to attack. Felt like I lost that release point a little bit for the backdoor stuff to the lefties and then it kind of blended in throughout the ABs. I had to bear down and make some big pitches, so thankful to get out of it without too much damage.”
The Yankees had a double steal wiped out in the bottom of the sixth by umpire’s interference.
Anthony Volpe and J.C. Escarra appeared to pull off the swipes successfully with two outs and DJ LeMaheiu at the plate in a 2-2 game, but they were sent back because Mets catcher Luis Torrens hit home plate umpire James Jean’s mask while throwing to third.
LeMahieu ended up grounding out to end the threat.
“I don’t know if it was consequential or not,” Boone said. “We had two outs and we still didn’t drive them in there. Obviously, don’t want that to happen. Felt like we had the bases stole regardless. One of those things that comes up.”
The Yankees reliever is four or five days into a shutdown because of a pec issue, manager Aaron Boone said Saturday, that popped up after his most recent live batting practice session.
“We don’t think it’s anything serious, but enough to hold him back a few da
s,” Boone said before continuing a series against the Mets at Yankee Stadium.
Cousins had faced Giancarlo Stanton in his first live session on May 6 and then threw another, after which the pec issue arose.
He had been hoping to be back by mid-June, but this shutdown will almost certainly delay that timeline.
Boone said Cousins underwent tests on his pec, but did not seem concerned it could lead to something bigger.
“I just think it was him having a little bit of discomfort,” Boone said. “Hopefully it’s not anything serious.”
The Yankees already have a solid bullpen and got more whole on Friday when Jonathan Loáisiga was activated off the IL.
They also have Scott Effross on a rehab assignment right now and Clayton Beeter just finished his before being optioned to Triple-A, where he is providing depth should they need a fresh arm.
But if Cousins can get healthy, he would provide another back-end option with high strikeout potential after turning into a high-leverage arm by the end of last season.
The 30-year-old righty posted a 2.37 ERA with 53 strikeouts in 38 innings in 2024.
