Jake Cousins DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

New York Yankees right-handed reliever Jake Cousins (forearm) threw roughly 15 pitches in a live batting practice session at Yankee Stadium before the team's blowout win over the San Diego Padres on Tuesday. Cousins said that he is eyeing a big-league return in early to mid June. He was transferred from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on March 27 due to a right-forearm strain, and he's eligible to return as early as May 26. The 30-year-old hurler will soon go on a minor-league rehab assignment after maybe a few more live BP sessions. When he's healthy enough to return to New York's big-league bullpen, Cousins will be an option in late-inning, high-leverage situations after posting a career-best 2.37 ERA (4.06 FIP), a 1.05 WHIP, his first career save, a career-high 53 strikeouts and 20 walks in 38 innings over 37 appearances out of the bullpen.

New York Yankees right-handed reliever Jake Cousins (forearm) is "a couple of weeks" away from throwing live batting practice, manager Aaron Boone said on Wednesday. Cousins was moved to the 60-day injured list on March 27 with a right-forearm strain and isn't eligible to return until May 26. The 30-year-old has been nursing his forearm injury since February, but the good news is he recently was cleared to start throwing bullpen sessions. Barring a setback once he begins facing live hitters and eventually goes on a minor-league rehab assignment, Cousins will rejoin New York's bullpen in the first half of the season. In his first year in the Bronx in 2024, he had a career-best 2.37 ERA, a 1.05 WHIP, his first career save, a career-high 53 strikeouts and 20 walks in 38 relief innings in the regular season. Cousins will be a potential late-inning relief option for the Yanks in another month-plus.

New York Yankees right-handed reliever Jake Cousins (elbow) is under a week away from getting back on the mound, according to the New York Daily News' Gary Phillips. Meanwhile, right-handed reliever Ian Hamilton (illness) is scheduled to rejoin the Yankees' bullpen for their series in Detroit that starts on Monday, April 7. Cousins was unable to pitch at all in spring training due to a right-elbow flexor strain and began the regular season on the 60-day injured list as a result. The 30-year-old pitched well for the Yanks down the stretch and could be back in a high-leverage role eventually in 2025, but he won't be eligible to return until at least late May. Hamilton dealt with an undisclosed illness in spring training but is now feeling better after going on a minor-league rehab assignment. He's been solid for the Yankees since 2023 with a 3.10 ERA and 1.28 WHIP, but he's unlikely to have much fantasy appeal in a middle-relief role.