The New York Yankees are winning games, holding first place in the American League East with a 32-20 record. They are six games ahead of the Tampa Bay Rays and have the second-best record in the American League. Even though the team is winning, they’ve been dealing with injuries to several key players.
Before Monday night’s game against the Angels in Anaheim, Yankees manager Aaron Boone shared the latest on nine players on the injured list. General Manager Brian Cashman also provided updates during a radio interview. Here is the full report on each player’s injury and recovery progress.
- Jazz Chisholm is expected to return in the first week of June after recovering from a high-grade oblique strain with three muscle tears.
- Luis Gil is set to resume mound work this week, targeting a July return after missing over 50 games due to a right lat strain.
- Fernando Cruz may rejoin the bullpen next week, pending a successful bullpen session and possible live batting practice in Anaheim.
Jazz Chisholm Jr. — Right Oblique Injury with Three Muscle Tears
Position: Second Base
Injury: High-grade strain of the right oblique with three individual muscle tears
Injured List Status: 10-day IL since May 2 (retroactive to April 30)
Missed Games: 23
Current Status: Beginning full baseball activity
Expected Return: First full week of June
On April 29, Chisholm exited a game against the Baltimore Orioles with what was initially reported as “right flank discomfort.” Postgame, Chisholm told reporters, “I feel fine.” However, an MRI later revealed three distinct tears in his right oblique muscle. The injury was classified as a high-grade strain.
Chisholm is under a one-year, $5.85 million contract and has played 30 games in 2025. In those games, he batted .181 with a .304 on-base percentage and a .410 slugging percentage. He hit 7 home runs, drove in 17 runs, struck out 39 times in 125 plate appearances, and stole 6 bases. Defensively, he played 251 innings at second base, posting 3 Defensive Runs Saved and 3 Outs Above Average.
This is Chisholm’s second career oblique injury. He told reporters this one felt “less severe” than the first, which he suffered two years ago. “That’s why I’m really surprised in what it said,” Chisholm commented after his MRI.
On May 24, Chisholm posted a batting practice video to Instagram with the caption, “We gon have a problem.” He resumed light workouts on May 27, then traveled to Bridgewater, New Jersey, on May 28 to take batting practice with the Double-A Somerset Patriots at TD Bank Ballpark. He hit in Group 1 alongside catchers Rafael Flores and Antonio Gomez. The BP session was pitched by Somerset hitting coach Mike Fransoso.
According to Boone, Chisholm is now asymptomatic. If his hitting continues without setback, he could begin a rehab assignment on Thursday, May 30, during Somerset’s home series against the Akron RubberDucks, which runs through Sunday, June 2. Rehab assignments for position players are limited to 20 days. However, Boone suggested Chisholm may only need one or two games, supporting an MLB.com report stating Chisholm could return during the first full week of June.
Fernando Cruz — Right Shoulder Inflammation
Position: Relief Pitcher
Injury: Right shoulder inflammation
Injured List Status: 15-day IL since May 22 (retroactive to May 19)
Missed Games: 7
Current Status: Scheduled for bullpen session on May 29
Expected Return: First week of June
Cruz has been throwing on flat ground since May 23. He is scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Wednesday, May 29, in Anaheim. Boone confirmed that if the session goes well, Cruz will face live hitters in a simulated game over the weekend in Los Angeles. If there are no setbacks, he could rejoin the active roster next week.
Luis Gil — Right Lat Strain
Position: Starting Pitcher
Injury: Right lat strain
Injured List Status: 60-day IL since March 24
Missed Games: 53
Current Status: Throwing; mound session scheduled for May 31
Expected Return: July
Gil began a throwing program on April 27. According to Boone, Gil is scheduled to throw off a mound on Friday, May 31. Boone added, “Louie is doing really good. He feels really good.” If he progresses as planned, he will begin a ramp-up process to return in July.
Giancarlo Stanton — Tennis Elbow in Both Arms
Position: Designated Hitter
Injury: Tendinitis in both elbows
Injured List Status: 60-day IL since March 26 (retroactive to March 24); moved to 60-day IL officially on May 1
Missed Games: 53
Current Status: Taking live BP in Tampa
Expected Return: Mid-to-late June
Stanton traveled to the Yankees’ training complex in Tampa on May 27. He began a program that includes daily simulated at-bats and base running. GM Brian Cashman stated in a May 26 interview on SiriusXM MLB Network Radio that Stanton will stay in Tampa for two weeks of simulated games. After that, the team will evaluate whether he will begin a rehab assignment.
Boone said Stanton may not need a rehab stint if he gets enough at-bats in sim games but added, “We’ll see what we’re going to do next week, if it’s more of that or if it’s rehab assignment. We’re not quite there yet.”
Marcus Stroman — Left Knee Inflammation
Position: Starting Pitcher
Injury: Inflammation in left knee
Injured List Status: 15-day IL since April 12
Missed Games: 40
Current Status: Bullpen sessions completed
Expected Return: Late June to early July
Stroman threw two bullpen sessions during the week of May 20 with no discomfort. He had previously experienced pain during a live BP in early May, which slowed his progress. If his recovery continues without issues, he will begin facing live hitters.
JT Brubaker — Left Rib Fractures
Position: Starting Pitcher
Injury: Fractures in the left rib area
Injured List Status: 60-day IL since March 26 (retroactive to March 24); transferred to 60-day on April 1
Missed Games: 53
Current Status: Rehab assignment in progress
Expected Return: Mid-to-late June
Brubaker began his 30-day rehab assignment on May 18 with High-A Hudson Valley. In that outing, he threw 3 scoreless innings and struck out 3. On May 23, he pitched for Double-A Somerset and went 2.2 innings, giving up 2 runs (1 earned) on 3 walks and no strikeouts.
Brubaker is out of minor-league options. By mid-June, the Yankees must either add him to the 26-man roster or designate him for assignment.
Gerrit Cole — Tommy John Surgery Recovery
Position: Starting Pitcher
Injury: UCL reconstruction (Tommy John surgery on March 11)
Injured List Status: 60-day IL since March 22
Missed Games: 53
Current Status: Strengthening phase of rehab (Week 11)
Expected Return: June 2026
Cole had Tommy John surgery on March 11, ending his 2025 season – week 11 of his recovery plan. According to the Yankees’ schedule, Cole will continue strengthening his arm until at least early August. If he stays on track, he will begin light throwing during the second week of August, which will mark five months post-surgery.
Jake Cousins — Right Elbow Flexor Strain
Position: Relief Pitcher
Injury: Right elbow flexor strain
Injured List Status: 60-day IL since March 27
Missed Games: 53
Current Status: No update available
Expected Return: Undetermined
Cousins has been on the injured list since March 27 and has not appeared in any rehab games. The Yankees have not provided a new update on his condition or a potential return date.
Oswaldo Cabrera — Left Ankle Fracture
Position: Third Baseman
Injury: Fracture in the left ankle
Injured List Status: 10-day IL since May 13
Missed Games: 12
Current Status: Inactive, early rehab stage
Expected Return: 2026 season
Cabrera fractured his left ankle during a collision at home plate in Seattle in early May. He has not resumed any baseball activity and is expected to miss the rest of the season. The Yankees project his recovery to extend into the offseason.
As players like Jazz Chisholm, Fernando Cruz, and Luis Gil move closer to returning, the team could soon be even stronger. The next few weeks will be important as the Yankees work to get healthy and stay on top of the AL East.
