The injury bug refuses to leave the Yankees alone this season. Just when the team started to see a glimmer of hope with Giancarlo Stanton’s recovery, another wave of bad news crashed down. This time, it’s the bullpen. Manager Aaron Boone shared the news of a probable season-ending blow with reliever Jake Cousins, facing a grim injury scare.

The update is nothing short of unsettling for a Yankees team trying to keep its postseason hopes alive.

Cousins’ 2025 campaign has been derailed since spring training. The 30-year-old pitcher had yet to appear in the majors this season. It all started with a forearm strain. And just when a recovery seemed possible, Cousins suffered a right elbow flexor strain. It was severe enough to place him on the 60-day injured list right before Opening Day.

Now, just on the eve of his return, the biggest fear for a pitcher seems to be coming true for Cousins. “No final determination yet, but Jake Cousins is ‘moving toward’ needing Tommy John surgery,” MLB insider Chris Kirschner quoted Boone.

He was progressing fine with his throwing program. Earlier this month, he was, in fact, ready to go for a minor-league rehab assignment. But just after two appearances, he experienced the second setback of his season. Now, if UCL injury is confirmed, this will be it for the Yankees’ pitcher. But the final decision has not yet been made. That might be a positive update.

But amid these demoralizing updates, some news might motivate the team for an October dream. “Sounds like Giancarlo Stanton will be back at some point during the Angels series at Yankee Stadium to begin next week,” insider Max Goodman quoted Boone.

Yes, Stanton’s long-awaited return to the Yankees lineup is finally within reach. Boone shared on Saturday that Stanton will likely be activated early next week, when the Yankees open their series against the Angels. But before that, Stanton is expected to play one final rehab game this weekend at Double-A Somerset.

So, while Stanton is most likely coming back to bolster the offense, what about the Yankees’ bullpen?

The Yankees’ bullpen needs rejuvenation

Yes, Jake Cousins hasn’t played this season, and that hasn’t stopped the Yankees from topping the AL East with a 42-26 record. But that doesn’t mean every department of the team is working fine!

As of June 13, the Yankees were standing with a bullpen ERA of 3.83. Enough to position them 15th in the majors. This rank marks both reliability and recent strain.

So, concerns around the bullpen’s workload continue. Especially after recent injuries to key arms. Luke Weaver exited with a hamstring issue shortly after Fernando Cruz was sidelined due to shoulder inflammation. Again, this bullpen was working since the opening day without Cousins. But now, losing the option to get him this year might call for some external rejuvenation for the Yankees.

So, regardless of how the Yankees’ bullpen performs over the next several weeks, one thing seems almost certain. A new reliever will be headed to the Bronx by early August. Until then, Clayton Beeter might be seen in the bullpen battery in the place of Cousins. His scoreless inning for the Scranton RailRiders this week was good enough to bolster the Yankees’ bullpen.

However, since the trade deadline is here, the Yankees are highly likely to opt for external help. With mounting injuries and a desire to solidify the late innings for a playoff push, adding an arm is practically inevitable.