Yankees’ Yovanny Cruz Takes Center Stage with ‘Beautiful’ MLB Debut
Yankees' Yovanny Cruz makes his MLB debut with an electrifying performance, striking out three in two hitless innings, setting the stage for what could be many more dazzling displays.
The day before his big-league debut, Yovanny Cruz sought advice from another pitcher in the New York Yankees' bullpen: 'Breathe in, breathe out, keep it simple, and just focus on the job. ' Those words echoed in the Greener Cruz's mind as he unleashed triple-digit fastballs and dirty sliders on the Blue Jays Wednesday night. While the Yankees lost the game 2-1 after a pitching duel between Cam Schlittler and Trey Yesavage, Cruz introduced himself with authority, striking out three over two hitless, scoreless innings.
"Oof," Cruz, promoted on May 18, said of the adrenaline he felt on the mound. "Thank God for this opportunity and the team's faith in me there. I felt a little nervous going in, but very happy with my performance.
" Cruz drew minimal attention as the Yankees' first signing of the offseason. Cruz had yet to pitch above Double-A and only inked a minor league contract when he signed on November 8. But after missing some time due to a shoulder issue and paternity leave, he flashed his 100-mph fastball in a few exhibition games before coming up with an electric start to his minor-league season.
"It was really cool to see somebody realize their dream of getting to the big leagues," Aaron Boone said. "Everyone's journey is different, and I think he wore that on his sleeve a little bit, which was, I felt, kind of touching watching him and appreciating how much effort he put into being on a major league field, and then going out and producing. " Cruz, who previously spent time in the Boston Red Sox, San Diego Padres, and Chicago Cubs' systems, gave the Yankees—who had been looking for a high-velocity pitcher for years—plenty to look at despite only throwing 15 pitches on that night.