Yankees Option Prospect Acquired From Red Sox, Activate Another Ex-Boston Pitcher

Yankees Option Prospect Acquired From Red Sox, Activate Another Ex-Boston Pitcher originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

A former Boston Red Sox prospect had another short-lived MLB appearance with their rival.

The New York Yankees optioned Elmer Rodríguez to Triple-A on Monday, a day after he started Sunday's extra-innings loss to the New York Mets. They signed Yovanny Cruz to a major league contract and selected him to their major league roster.

The Red Sox sent Cruz to the Yankees for Carlos Narváez after the 2024 season. They received a strong early return on the deal, as Narváez blossomed into their starting catcher last year.

However, the Yankees don't have to accept defeat on the deal just yet. Rodríguez registered a 2.58 ERA and 176 strikeouts in 150 innings last season.

The right-hander continued to impress in the minors this year, authoring a 1.38 ERA in five starts at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre before earning a promotion late last month. He hasn't been as sharp in the big leagues, allowing 15 hits and six runs in three starts spanning 13 innings.

Rodríguez issued nine walks to just six strikeouts, but the 22-year-old enjoyed his best outing on Sunday. MLB.com's No. 63 prospect limited the Mets to one run over four innings.

"It felt good," Rodríguez said after Sunday's game, via the YES Network. "It felt like I was attacking more, getting more in the zone and had better results."

Rodríguez rejoined the Yankees rotation after they placed Max Fried on the injured list. The rookie must stay in the minors for at least 10 days before getting called up again, so the Yankees must find someone else to start Friday's pivotal division showdown against the Tampa Bay Rays.

For now, they'll add another former Boston farmhand to their bullpen.

Cruz issued a 3.03 ERA in 59 1/3 innings at Double-A Portland last year. The 26-year-old made 15 minor league appearances for the Yankees at Scranton/Wilkes-Barre before getting the chance to make his MLB debut.

More Baseball: MLB Trade Rumors: Teams Keeping Tabs On Former Red Sox Pitcher