Yankees get tough break as key reliever exits game with pec injury

In the middle of the final game of the Yankees' series in Seattle, breakout bullpen arm Jake Cousins exited the game early due to an apparent injury. Aaron Boone came out with the Athletic Trainer after the right-hander struck out All-Star outfielder Julio Rodriguez, and there were some alarming signs out of the gate. His first two fastballs were 90 and 92 MPH, well below his season averages, and two of the slowest sinkers he's thrown all season. Even in his strikeout of Rodriguez, his slider velocity was worse than normal, and Boone wasted no time getting him out of the game.

have announced that Jake Cousins was dealing with right pec tightness, with more information likely to come after the game when Aaron Boone addresses the media.

Jake Cousins Exits Game With Injury, Yankees Could Lose Key Pitcher

Having right pec tightness isn't the worst-case scenario for a pitcher, as you fear of anything that has to do with the shoulder or elbow, this is still not great for the Yankees. Any injury this late in the season can really derail a team since there isn't much time to return to the mound and get things going for October.

Furthermore, this places more pressure on the Yankees to win the division and give themselves some more time off to try and get someone like Cousins back if he were to hit the IL.

Across 37 appearances this season, Jake Cousins has a 2.37 ERA and has been a massive weapon for them in high-leverage situations. His strikeout numbers are highly valuable, and while the walks aren't great, we've seen Cousins avoid damage contact more and more as the summer has gone on.

Leading into this outing against Seattle, the command and stuff metrics for the right-hander had been steadily declining, which could be an indication that he was dealing with some sort of tightness or soreness prior to this appearance.

Over his last eight appearances before this afternoon's game, Jake Cousins has a 5.68 ERA and 6.33 FIP, walking 8 of the 30 batters he's faced and plunking another. His Stuff+ has dipped from 114 to 106 as well over this stretch and his command has obviously gotten worse based on the walks.

Perhaps some time off could do Jake Cousins well, the Yankees seemed to try and give him a break as he had pitched just once against Boston and once in Seattle, giving him four days off between his last two outings.

Time will tell if this ends up becoming a long-term issue or not, but Jake Cousins' viability for October is certainly in the air.