The New York Yankees pitcher JT Brubaker is facing a significant delay in his return due to an oblique strain, in addition to his ongoing recovery from Tommy John surgery. According to Chris Kirschner of The Athletic, Brubaker will be shut down from throwing for the next 3-to-4 weeks following the oblique injury he sustained during a recent minor-league start. This setback halts his rehab assignment and prolongs his absence from the game.
Manager Aaron Boone confirmed that Brubaker suffered the oblique strain during his last rehab outing with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, forcing the Yankees to suspend all of his baseball activities. Initially expected to come off the 60-day injured list by the end of July, Brubaker’s timeline is now uncertain. The team will reassess his condition once he resumes his throwing program, but it’s unlikely he will return to the Yankees before the end of the month.
Prior to this setback, Brubaker was making notable progress in his rehab from Tommy John surgery, which he underwent in April 2023. His rehab had included five minor-league appearances where he posted a 3.29 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, and a 7:8 K:BB ratio over 13.2 innings. He was nearing a return to major league action and was performing well in his assignments.
Brubaker’s rehab journey began in the lower minor leagues and gradually advanced to higher levels. On July 1, he pitched three shutout innings for Double-A Somerset, allowing one hit and one walk while striking out three. He had previously made appearances for Single-A Tampa and the Florida Complex League Yankees, where he displayed promising form, including throwing 30 of 47 pitches for strikes in Somerset.
By July 5, his rehab was progressing as he moved to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Despite the promising outlook, the oblique injury has now disrupted this momentum. This injury not only delays Brubaker’s comeback but also impacts the Yankees’ pitching depth as they navigate through the season.
As Brubaker continues his recovery, the Yankees will closely monitor his progress, hoping that he can soon resume his rehab and ultimately return to the mound. Until then, the timeline for his return remains uncertain, and his presence on the field is postponed once more.