On Tuesday, the New York Yankees took several significant roster moves, altering the composition of their team for the remainder of the season. The first notable change was the placement of right-handed pitcher Jonathan Loaisiga on the 15-day injured list (IL).
This decision was retroactive to the previous Sunday and was prompted by the right elbow inflammation that Loaisiga had been experiencing. Jonathan Loaisiga, a familiar face in pinstripes, has been with the Yankees for six seasons. In his current campaign, he has posted a record of 0-2 with a 3.06 ERA and secured five saves in 17 appearances, totaling 17⅔ innings pitched and six strikeouts. Over his Yankees career, Loaisiga boasts an 18-11 record with a 3.51 ERA in 160 games, which includes 11 starts, and a total of 215⅔ innings.
Rizzo’s season comes to an end
In addition to Loaisiga’s placement on the IL, the Yankees also transferred first baseman Anthony Rizzo to the 60-day IL. This move essentially marks the end of Rizzo’s season, as he has been dealing with post-concussion syndrome since August 1. The concussion was believed to have occurred during a collision at first base with San Diego Padres star Fernando Tatis Jr. on May 28. Rizzo, who is 34 years old, had a productive season for the Yankees, batting .244 with 12 home runs and 41 runs batted in across 99 games.
To reinforce their pitching depth, the Yankees signed right-handed pitcher Zach McAllister to a major league contract and immediately added him to the active roster. McAllister, 35, had not appeared in a major league game in five years due to a string of injuries. He previously played for the Cleveland Guardians from 2011 to 2018, followed by three brief appearances with the Detroit Tigers in 2018. Throughout his career, McAllister has accumulated a record of 29-35 and a 4.09 ERA, including one save in 280 career games, of which 68 were starts. His impressive strikeout count stands at 542 batters over 591⅔ innings.
Weaver joins the Yankees
In yet another roster move, the Yankees claimed right-handed pitcher Luke Weaver off waivers from the Seattle Mariners. To make room for Weaver on the 40-man roster, the Yankees transferred left-handed pitcher Nestor Cortes to the 60-day IL. Cortes had been dealing with a rotator cuff strain and was not expected to make a return this season. Weaver, at 30 years old, began the season with the Cincinnati Reds but was released by the team last month before being signed by the Mariners. In 26 games, 22 of which were starts, this season, Weaver recorded a 2-5 record with a 6.77 ERA. Over his eight-year major league career, spanning five teams, Weaver holds a 26-41 record with a 5.18 ERA across 141 games, including 103 starts.
Cortes, the 28-year-old left-hander, had a rollercoaster season marked by injury setbacks. He missed the months of June and July due to a shoulder injury but made a comeback on August 5, delivering an impressive performance by striking out eight batters in four innings while allowing only one run against the Houston Astros. Unfortunately, his return was short-lived, as he landed back in the IL less than a week later. Cortes concludes the season with a 5-2 record and a 4.97 ERA in 12 starts.
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