The New York Yankees have welcomed back right-handed pitcher Jonathan Loáisiga from the injured list just in time for the highly anticipated Subway Series against the New York Mets. To accommodate his return, the team has designated veteran left-hander Tyler Matzek for assignment.
Loáisiga’s comeback comes slightly over a year after he underwent elbow reconstruction surgery to address a torn ulnar collateral ligament. Unlike the conventional Tommy John surgery, which often requires a recovery period of 14 to 16 months, Loáisiga underwent a procedure involving an internal brace that notably shortened his timeline. “The doctor, when he operated on me, told me it could be from 12 to 13 months to return,” Loáisiga explained in Spanish, emphasizing the rigorous preparation he followed to expedite his recovery.
He began throwing off a mound in February and later embarked on a minor-league rehabilitation assignment on April 26. Across six appearances at two levels, he allowed just one run on three hits, striking out nine batters without issuing a walk in a total of 7 ⅓ innings.
Loáisiga is rejoining a Yankees bullpen that is currently ranked ninth in Major League Baseball for ERA and has shown improvement since Luke Weaver took over as the team’s closer. Initially, Loáisiga plans to participate in one-inning outings and avoid pitching on consecutive days to gradually build up his strength.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone expressed enthusiasm about Loáisiga’s return, commenting on his impressive form since February. “Excited to get him back… he’s looked really, really good,” Boone noted.
Despite past injuries limiting the 30-year-old Nicaraguan pitcher to only 20 appearances over the last two seasons, he previously showcased significant talent, achieving a 2.96 ERA in 107 relief appearances during the 2021 and 2022 seasons. His fastball has averaged an impressive 98 mph and placed him in the 97th percentile among pitchers in 2022, contributing to the Yankees signing him to a one-year, $5 million deal in December, along with a team option for 2026.
As the Yankees gear up for the Subway Series, Loáisiga expresses excitement for both his return and the challenges ahead. “This is an exciting time to be back… I’m very excited to be here and to be part of that,” he stated, looking forward to making an impact during this pivotal moment in the season.