Yankees’ Jake Cousins optimistic he’ll return for first round of playoffs

The Yankees received good news on injured reliever Jake Cousins as they kick off the final week of the regular season.

An MRI taken on Cousins’ right pectoral on Monday came back with encouraging results, so both he and the team are optimistic that he’ll be able to be back for the first round of the playoffs.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone told reporters pregame Tuesday that the righty will take a few days off before resuming throwing later this week and then ramping up from there.

Cousins officially landed on the injured list this weekend with a pec strain after he lasted just six pitches into his most recent appearance on Thursday night against the Seattle Mariners.

He had been dealing with a pec issue over the past few days, and with his velocity sitting well below his season averages, the Yankees decided it would be best to keep him sidelined for the remainder of the regular season.

Luckily for both him and the Yankees, it appears that his absence won’t be long.

Cousins has pitched very well out of New York’s bullpen after being acquired in a deal with the White Sox, posting a 2.37 ERA and 1.05 WHIP across 37 appearances.