NEW YORK -- Fernando Cruz was activated from the injured list by the New York Yankees on Tuesday after the reliever missed two months with a strained left oblique that he suffered while working out with a medicine ball.

Cruz rejoined the Yankees following a second IL stint. He also was sidelined May 22 to June 3 with a strained right shoulder.

"Really excited to get him back," manager Aaron Boone said. "He's had a great year, albeit with an earlier stint on the IL. But when he's been out there, he's been terrific."

Acquired from the Reds in December for catcher Jose Trevino , Cruz is 2-3 with a 3.00 ERA in 32 games this season. The 35-year-old left-hander had a 5.14 ERA in seven appearances before the shoulder strain and a 3.86 ERA with 19 strikeouts in 9 1/3 innings over 11 out

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