Yankees’ Scott Effross needs Tommy John surgery in huge playoff blow

The Yankees bullpen will be even more shorthanded than expected for the ALDS — and next season.

Reliever Scott Effross, one of general manager Brian Cashman’s trade-deadline acquisitions this summer, was left off the ALDS roster on Tuesday because he needs Tommy John surgery, The Post confirmed. YES Network’s Jack Curry first reported the news.

The right-handed Effross was expected to serve as one of Aaron Boone’s top high-leverage options during the playoffs for a bullpen that has no set closer. He recorded three saves since joining the Yankees from the Cubs, including two in the final week and a half of the regular season after he came back from the IL (he had suffered a shoulder strain).

But now, he will require elbow surgery that will almost certainly knock him out for all of next season. The 28-year-old is under contract through 2027.

Effross is the latest bullpen injury for the Yankees, who will get Clay Holmes (shoulder strain) and Wandy Peralta (back) back for the ALDS. But they will face the Guardians without Ron Marinaccio (shin), Zack Britton (arm fatigue), Michael King (broken elbow) and Chad Green (Tommy John surgery). Aroldis Chapman also took himself out of contention for a roster spot by missing Friday’s mandatory workout at Yankee Stadium, which led to Boone telling him to stay home for the series.

With Effross’ injury and Chapman’s absence, Miguel Castro nabbed the final spot in the bullpen for the ALDS.