Acce s the Yankees beat like never before Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Greg Joyce about the inside buzz on the Yankees. On an otherwise forgettable night, the best sight for the Yankees was a healthy Fernando Cruz on the mound. The often overpowering righty succe sfully returned from a stint on the injured list with shoulder inflammation during in The Bronx. Pitching for the first time since May 17, Cruz struck out three and allowed two hits one a home run to Kyle Manzardo during an eighth inning in which he felt strong. I thought the stuff was really good, manager Aaron Boone said of Cruz, who will be especially important with Luke Weaver sidelined. I thought the fastball was good and tallied up three more of the worst swings Ive seen off the forkball or whatever. The forkball (or splitter) again was devastating inducing nine swings from Cleveland batters and five whiffs and Cruz was only dented by a second-pitch home run from Manzardo, who reversed a four-seamer over the wall in right-center. Explore More Cruz said he felt Manzardo was sitting fastball and gue sed right, which happens. More encouraging was the overall stuff and Cruzs health. Fernando Cruz throws a pitch during the eighth inning of the Yankees 4-0 lo s to the Guardians on June 4, 2025. Bill Kostroun / New York Post I feel amazing, said Cruz, who owns a 2.92 ERA and 38 strikeouts in 24 / innings. Velocity was there, stuff was there, splitter feels amazing. Yonathan Daza Jersey Everything felt amazing out of my hand. Its time to give the team what it needs. Im ready. Im good. The Yankees are approaching a Giancarlo Stanton decision. After building up with over a weeks worth of live batting practice at-bats in Tampa, the slugger would probably be heading back to New York soon, Aaron Boone said. Giancarlo Stanton Robert Sabo / New York Post The Yankees manager did not yet know the next step for Stanton but said the decision would be made hopefully in the next 24 hours. It is at least po sible that Stanton who has skipped rehab a signments in the past because he feels the high-velocity machines especially can approximate major league pitching does not get sent to Double-A Somerset or Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, but Stanton said last month he thought he would need a rehab a signment. Because Stanton does not play the field, Boone has said that he hasnt known what a rehab a signment would look like. Stanton mi sed all of spring training and two months of the season so far with elbow tendinitis in both arms, injuries that he has called severe. Stanton has said that whenever he does return, he will be playing through pain. Go beyond the box score with the Bombers Sign up for Inside the Yankees by Greg Joyce, exclusively on Sports+. Thank you By clicking above you agree to the and . Enjoy this Post Sports+ exclusive newsletter! The All-Star Game ballot was announced Wednesday, which features Austin Wells at catcher, Paul Goldschmidt at first base, Jazz Chisholm Jr. at second base, DJ LeMahieu at third base, Anthony Volpe at shortstop, Aaron Judge, Cody Bellinger and Trent Grisham in the outfield and Ben Rice at designated hitter. After being designated for a signment again, Carlos Carrasco cleared waivers and was outrighted back to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Dominic Smith, who had opted out of his minor league deal with the Yankees on Sunday, signed a major league deal with the Giants. Smith posted a .782 OPS with eight home runs in 45 games with SWB. Dale Murphy Jersey