Yankees Fernando Cruz solid in return from injured list after shoulder injury

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 successfully returned from a stint on the injured list with shoulder inflammation during Wednesday’s 4-0 loss to the Guardians 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 I’ve 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.Cruz said he felt Manzardo was sitting fastball and guessed right, which happens.More encouraging was the overall stuff and Cruz’s health.“I feel amazing,” said Cruz, who owns a 2.92 ERA and 38 strikeouts in 24 ²/₃ innings.“Velocity was there, stuff was there, splitter feels amazing.

Everything felt amazing out of my hand.“It’s time to give the team what it needs.I’m ready.

I’m good.”The Yankees are approaching a Giancarlo Stanton decision.After building up with over a week’s worth of live batting practice at-bats in Tampa, the slugger would “probably” be heading back to New York soon, Aaron Boone said.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 possible that Stanton — who has skipped rehab assignments in the past because he feels the high-velocity mach...