TAMPA — A key piece of the Yankees bullpen last season is starting this year from behind.
Jake Cousins reported to spring training Tuesday with a forearm strain, manager Aaron Boone said, and is in the midst of a three-to-four week shutdown.
The righty reliever is “a couple weeks” into the no-throw period, per Boone, meaning he could start a throwing program as early as next week, but even that puts his status for Opening Day in question.
Jake Cousins’ Opening Day Status is in question.Jason Szenes / New York Post
“Concern? I guess a little bit, but also feel like we’re 15 days into a three-four week no-throw, and he seems to be doing well and progressing how he should,” Boone said at George M. Steinbrenner Field. “I’d like to think it’s a bump in the road, but we’ll see. You gotta clear a lot of hurdles to get back to the point where especially he was last year.”
Cousins, who missed time late last season with a pec strain but returned for the playoffs, had a UCL injury in 2022 but decided against having Tommy John surgery and instead treated it with a PRP injection.
Last year, the cousin of Kirk Cousins posted a 2.37 ERA with 53 strikeouts across 38 innings for the Yankees while becoming a righty killer and a high-leverage option.
In a sound bite that could have come from the past two spring trainings, Boone voiced his confidence in a healthy DJ LeMahieu when talking about the open third base job.
“He looks good,” Boone said. “Feels good. He’s ready to go. There’s always going to be the naysayers out there, but really, this is in and around a guy that is a great hitter and has had some tough, nagging, bad injuries that have cut into that greatness. There’s no telling what he may be able to do if he’s healthy.”
Aaron Boone is hopeful DJ LeMahieu can stay healthy and regain his past form as a dangerous hitter.Corey Sipkin for New York Post
Injuries have made LeMahieu a shell of himself over the past two years, but the veteran will battle with Oswaldo Cabrera, Oswald Peraza and Jorbit Vivas at the position.
Jasson Dominguez will get “every opportunity” to be the starting left fielder, Boone said, but they plan to make him earn it instead of just handing him the job.
The 22-year-old has flashed his potential during a pair of stints in the big leagues over the past two years, but also struggled defensively while transitioning from center field to left field late last year.
“He’s been working his tail off over there [at the player development complex] for the last 10 days, two weeks, every day getting his work in,” Boone said. “Some of the bumps he had there last year were really just a result of not having a lot of reps and experience. He certainly has the ability and talent to do it at a really high level. He’s got a little runway now. I know [outfield coach Luis Rojas] has been working closely with him already.”
Hal Steinbrenner said last month that he planned to talk with Boone about an extension in the days and weeks to come.
Boone acknowledged on Tuesday that they have had “some talks,” with no resolution yet.
“The reality is I’m so fired up to be here today and to get to work for this organization and for Hal that hopefully something does work out,” said Boone, entering his eighth year. “There’s no other place I’d rather be and no other team I’d rather be doing it with. So we’ll see. We’ll see how that stuff plays out.”
The Yankees claimed LHP Brent Headrick off waivers from the Twins on Tuesday and designated right-hander RHP Owen White for assignment.
The 27-year-old Headrick, who has one minor league option remaining, has been a starter in the minor leagues but made all 15 of his big league appearances as a reliever.
RHP Clayton Beeter “had a little shoulder issue that it looks like he’s through,” Boone said, noting that the right-hander is already throwing side sessions. … Carlos Rodon is expected to throw live batting practice on Wednesday during the first workout for pitchers and catchers.
