Fernando Cruz's daring decision could reshape Yankees' playoff bullpen again

If you think about the long-term ramifications of Tommy John surgery on Yankees reliever Fernando Cruz in particular, it's no wonder why he's chosen to guard against that outcome. Pitchers regularly regain their velocity and stuff after sitting out for a season rehabilitating from Tommy John these days. The command comes later, but it typically will return as well. But Cruz, 36 years old and living out a childhood dream with the New York Yankees, hardly has a year to sacrifice, and certainly doesn't have two to waste before he can feel like himself again. If there's any sort of window to avoid the procedure, he's going to try to take it.

After the Yankees floated the idea late last week that Cruz might opt for rest and rehab over surgery, the pitcher confirmed to the gathered media on Tuesday that his current intention is to begin throwing after a cortisone shot (with his doctor's clearance).

How could Fernando Cruz slot into postseason roster discussions if he returns to Yankees?

With only three weeks to go until the postseason, it will be Nestor Cortes-esque (read: extremely difficult) for Cruz to return and make any sort of impact. After the way he finished the first portion of his season - 11 1/3 innings, nine runs, four homers after allowing just 12 runs and two homers in his first 41 frames - the Yankees are going to want to watch him in game action (preferably not high-leverage) before including him in any postseason conversations, let alone rosters.

The Yankees have a thicker collection of potentially viable late-inning arms than they have at any point this season. Counting Ryan Weathers' rehab and Clarke Schmidt's comeback, in addition to John Schreiber, Michael Fulmer, and a reanimated Tim Hill, there are finally options.

There also isn't a single slam-dunk in the bunch. Believing in Weathers/Schmidt and relying on them are two different bridges. Hill and Schreiber, if combined, would be one incredible pitcher, but both remain limited to facing same-side batters, in ideal circumstances. Fulmer might be a better Matt Blake project if they can coax him back in Year 2; right now, he's a bit too erratic.

If Cruz somehow manages to recapture his first-half form if only for a few weeks, delaying surgery into the offseason (and potentially signing his own retirement papers as the knife comes down), then he'll provide playoff pecking order-swinging value. But in order for the Yankees to even entertain the notion, he needs to fight back before the season's final week and hope for a blowout win (or loss) to sharpen his knives. It would take a lot of bouncing balls to fall right for the option to even be on the table.

Cannot fault him for trying, though. Even a minute chance to rewrite his own narrative's ending is worth the consternation.

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