Jake Cousins elbow injury rehab gets shut down for different issue

Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Greg Joyce about the inside buzz on the Yankees.Jake Cousins’ rehab from a right elbow flexor strain has hit a snag in a different body part.The Yankees reliever is four or five days into a shutdown because of a pec issue, manager Aaron Boone said Saturday, that popped up after his most recent live batting practice session.“We don’t think it’s anything serious, but enough to hold him back a few days,” Boone said before continuing a series against the Mets at Yankee Stadium.Cousins had faced Giancarlo Stanton in his first live session on May 6 and then threw another, after which the pec issue arose.

He had been hoping to be back by mid-June, but this shutdown will almost certainly delay that timeline.Boone said Cousins underwent tests on his pec, but did not seem concerned it could lead to something bigger.“I just think it was him having a little bit of discomfort,” Boone said.“Hopefully it’s not anything serious.”The Yankees already have a solid bullpen and got more whole on Friday when Jonathan Loáisiga was activated off the IL.

They also have Scott Effross on a rehab assignment right now and Clayton Beeter just finished his before being optioned to Triple-A, where he is providing depth should they need a fresh arm.But if Cousins can get healthy, he would provide another back-end option with high strikeout potential after turning into a high-leverage arm by the end of last season.The 30-year-old righty posted a 2.37 ERA with 53 strikeouts in 38 innings in 2024....