TAMPA – A key piece of the Yankees bullpen last season begins at the back of this year.
Jake Cousins reported spring training on Tuesday with forearm tension, coach Aaron Boone said, and is in the middle of a three- to four-week shutdown.
The correct rescuer is “a few weeks” per boon in a no-throw period. So, he can start his throwing program as early as next week, but his status on the opening day is still an issue.
“It seems to be going well and he's building up from there since he starts throwing at some point next week or next week if it works out,” Boone told George M. Steinbrenner Field. “So it could probably leak on the first day. But we need to see.”
After missing time due to PEC tensions late last season, Cousins, who returned to the playoffs, suffered a UCL injury in 2022, but was subjected to Tommy John's surgery and treated him with a PRP injection instead.
The Yankees acquired a cousin from the White Sox shortly after the opening day last year, and Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins' cousin became a key weapon for Boone.
Cousins recorded a 2.37 ERA with 53 strikeouts in 38 innings in the regular season.
Regarding other offseason injuries, Boone said right-handed Clayton Beter had “a little shoulder issue that looked like he was passing through.”
Better, a potential relief option in the major leagues, has already thrown the sides, but is still behind his accumulation.
