New York Yankees Must Add 102 MPH Flamethrower to Their Roster

The New York Yankees ' bullpen has been a major source of contention in the early stages of the 2026 MLB campaign, and based on how it also looked last year, it doesn't seem like the volatility is about to change. The Yankees recently tried shuffling the pen by demoting Jake Bird (for the second time since acquiring him at last summer's trade deadline) and calling up Angel Chivilli, but Chivilli immediately gave up a home run in his debut. New York can try to scour the trade market, but it will be tough to land anyone of significance this early in the season.

So how can the Yankees solve this growing problem? Well, they can always look internally, and one glowing option is flamethrowing right-hander Yovanny Cruz. New York signed Cruz over the winter after he spent 2025 in the Boston Red Sox's organization.

He made four appearances in Spring Training, tossing four scoreless innings while allowing just two hits and registering six strikeouts. New York Yankees pitcher Yovanny Cruz. Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images.

After watching him hit 102 mph on the radar gun in his exhibition outings, buzz grew among fans who wanted him to make the big-league roster. But because Cruz wasn't on the Yanks' 40-man roster and because he didn't pitch a whole lot in the spring, it was clear he would start the season down in Triple-A. Now, it might be time to give Cruz a call.