NEW YORK — With late-inning reliever Fernando Cruz set to return from his lengthy stint on the injured list on Tuesday, the Yankees needed to make space in their bullpen with a roster move.

Yerry De Los Santos must’ve seen it coming.

The Yankees optioned the right-hander down to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre after their 10-5 win over the Nationals.

De Los Santos pitched 2 2/3 innings in relief in the win, allowing four earned runs in the ninth inning. It’s not the first time this year that the righty has been sent down after eating up a chunk of innings in the bullpen to make room for a big-league upgrade. That’s been his role this season, riding the Scranton shuttle as the Yankees capitalize on his minor-league options.

It’s possible that De Los Santos will be back with the big

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