The New York Yankees are finally receiving some good news on the injury front. After right-handed starter Clarke Schmidt’s successful rehab outing in Double-A — where he allowed no runs and struck out seven in 3 1/3 innings — the team has more encouraging updates regarding its pitching staff. According to MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch, Jonathan Loaisiga (recovering from surgery) threw a bullpen session today with Double-A Somerset. Manager Aaron Boone stated that Loaisiga’s target return to the MLB in late May or early June is realistic.
With the back end of the Yankees’ bullpen solidified by Devin Williams and Luke Weaver, Loaisiga’s return could further strengthen the unit. The 30-year-old right-hander’s experience makes him a valuable asset in bridging the gap between the more inconsistent relievers and the most reliable ones. Loaisiga posted a stellar 2.17 ERA in 57 appearances during the 2021 season, which gave the Yankees hope that he could play a pivotal role in the bullpen moving forward. However, after struggling in 2022 and dealing with a series of injuries, he has only logged 21 2/3 innings since 2023, with his most recent setback being elbow surgery last April.
Although Loaisiga may never be able to consistently stay on the mound long enough to serve as a bullpen mainstay, his return could still provide crucial value to the Yankees during the second half of the season. The defending American League pennant winners have one of the best offenses in baseball, which should help them endure an injury crisis that has affected players like Gerrit Cole, Luis Gil, Giancarlo Stanton, DJ LeMahieu, and Loaisiga himself.
For now, the Yankees are focused on navigating these challenges to stay in the playoff hunt. When Loaisiga and the other injured players return, the team hopes they’ll be fully equipped to contend for a championship. However, both the club and Loaisiga have a long road ahead before that goal can become a reality.
