Jonathan Loaisiga, a reliever for the New York Yankees, will miss the entire 2024 season due to a torn ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in his pitching elbow. Loáisiga confirmed the news of his season-ending surgery in a press briefing on Saturday, as reported by MLB.com. The procedure does not require Tommy John surgery, but the recovery timeline is still substantial, expected to sideline him for 10 to 12 months. Consequently, the Yankees placed Loaisiga on the 60-day injured list.
Jonathan Loaisiga’s loss: Can the Yankees overcome another bullpen setback?
Yankees manager Aaron Boone stated that Loaisiga experienced discomfort in a recent outing, though initially it was not perceived as a major issue. However, an MRI on Thursday revealed the severity of the injury. This setback adds to Loaisiga’s history of injuries, as he has frequently been on the injured list since 2016, except for the truncated 2020 season.
“It was a couple pitches before he finished his outing the other day. At the time he didn’t really think it was that big a deal,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Friday, adding Loáisiga had an MRI on Thursday. “Finished that inning, said something, and then after the game getting with him, I don’t think he was too concerned about it. But obviously it is concerning.”
With Jonathan Loaisiga sidelined, the Yankees are without several anticipated bullpen contributors. This includes Tommy Kahnle, who is dealing with shoulder inflammation and may return in a few weeks, Scott Effross, who is recovering from Tommy John surgery and back surgery with a projected midseason return, and Lou Trivino, also rehabbing from Tommy John surgery. Despite these setbacks, the Yankees’ bullpen has maintained a 2.01 ERA over 31 1/3 innings during the team’s 6-2 start to the season.
To replace Jonathan Loaisiga, the Yankees have called up Dennis Santana, a right-handed pitcher known for providing multiple innings of relief. Santana, who has played for three other MLB teams, showcased a new cutter in spring training, learned from former Yankee Frankie Montas. Manager Boone expressed confidence in Santana’s ability to contribute effectively in high-pressure situations, which is crucial early in the season.
Despite these challenges, the Yankees have demonstrated resilience, securing victories against teams like the Houston Astros and the Arizona Diamondbacks. Jonathan Loaisiga is set to become a free agent after the season, so his absence has both immediate and long-term implications for the team’s bullpen.
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