OAKLAND, Calif. — Jake Cousins’ pec issue went from being a “couple-day thing” to being a 15-day injured list stint.
The Yankees on Sunday placed Cousins on the IL with a right pec strain and called up Clayton Beeter to fill his spot in the bullpen.
Cousins had emerged as an important high-leverage arm in the Yankees’ late-inning mix and match, but he will now be out for at least the rest of the regular season, though the hope is that he can return for the playoffs.
“We’re hoping it’s minor enough that a couple days down and then start ramping up next week to be in line for the playoffs,” manager Aaron Boone said Sunday morning before the series finale against the A’s at the Coliseum. “We didn’t want to get in a situation to where … say he comes into a game Tuesday and he isn’t quite right, then we got to IL him and then we’re up against it from a time situation. So we’ll see what we have.
Cousins, 30, is scheduled to see team physician Dr. Chris Ahmad on Monday, but Boone is hoping the right-hander can get back on a mound as early as next week.
If the Yankees are able to clinch the AL East, their first playoff game (in the ALDS) would not be until Oct. 5.
Cousins last pitched on Thursday in Seattle, but only threw six pitches before he walked off the mound with a trainer.
He said he had been dealing with pec tightness for a few days but had felt enough improvement to give it a go.
