Notes:
RHP Yovanny Cruz is in the Bronx! The 26-year-old hard thrower owned a 3.00 ERA (4.41 FIP) over 18 innings for Scranton. He owned impressive 29.1% K and 52.3% GB rates but a less-than-impressive 11.4% BB.
The average velocity on his four-seam fastball was 99.2 MPH, easily topping 100 MPH several times.
Cruz spent several seasons in the Cubs’ organization before pitching in the Padres system in 2024 and the Red Sox system in 2025. Control has always been his biggest issue.
The Yankees can use some “swing and miss” in their bullpen, and maybe he can provide some of that this week.
With RHP Elmer Rodriguez back in Scranton and ineligible to pitch this Friday, that start could go to Gerrit Cole. If not, Brendan Beck can fill in, perhaps the same way he was used last time out, as a bulk inning guy after Paul Blackburn or Ryan Yarbrough makes the start.
Scranton (23-20)
Day off.
The International League East is bunched up. Three teams (Rochester, Worcester, Scranton) have 20 losses. Two others have 21.
Somerset (19-20)
Day off.
The Patriots are four games behind New Hampshire in the race for the first-half crown.
Hudson Valley (18-20)
Day off.
A 0-6 week against Frederick pushed them seven games behind the Keys.
Tampa (19-20)
Day off.
The Tarpons are four games behind Clearwater.
FCL Yankees (6-6) (Lost to the Blue Jays, 8-4)
3B Richard Matic: 3-for-4, 2 R, BB, K
Matic’s fifth multi-hit effort this season, including a 4-hit game and a 3-hit game. Over 58 plate appearances, he is hitting .348/.483/.435 with four doubles and more walks (12) than strikeouts (10).
LF Wilberson De Pena: 1-for-5, SB (6), K
De Pena has a 5-game hitting streak (8-for-21). He is hitting .370/.431/.696.
C Queni Pineda: 2-for-3, R, 2 BB, K
The 18-year-old catcher is 7-for-34 with a home run and 11 walks.
2B Leni Done: 1-for-4, RBI, BB
The 18-year-old continues his solid hitting (.333/.407/.467). He hit well in his debut season with the DSL squad in 2025, so this is encouraging.
SS Dexters Peralta: 1-for-2, RBI, SB (5), 3 BB
He is only 9-for-32, but is making up for that with 12 walks and five extra-base hits (1 double, 1 triple, 3 home runs)
RF Estivenzon Montero: 1-for-5, K
DH David McCann: 1-for-4, RBI, 2 K
McCann begins his rehab assignment (his first professional game). He was signed last season as an undrafted free agent out of Virginia Tech. He is a 22-year-old left-handed-hitting catcher.
CF Isael Arias: 0-for-5, K
1B John Cristino: 0-for-3, R, BB, 3 K
RHP Thatcher Hurd (L, 0-1): 3.2 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 5 K, HR
First three professional starts: 1.59 ERA (11.1 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 1 HR, 5 BB, 12 K)
RHP Stanly Alcantara: 2 IP, 4 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 6 BB, 3 K
RHP Edinzo Marquez: 2.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K
Marquez was shipped down here to begin a rehab assignment. Last year, pitching for the FCL and Tampa, he pitched to a 4.00 ERA over 74.1 innings with a 48/33 K/BB. His five appearances with Tampa weren’t good, skewing the overall results. We’ll see if he learned from that.