Based on the chorus of boos that echoed through Yankee Stadium on Friday night, it’s clear that New York Yankees fans are demanding changes in the bullpen — and soon.
Fortunately for them, help could be on the way.
The Yankees announced Saturday that veteran reliever Jonathan Loaisiga will begin a rehab assignment with Single-A Tampa. The Tarpons are scheduled to host the Dunedin Blue Jays over the weekend before heading to Bradenton, Florida, on Tuesday.
Jonathan Loaisiga begins rehab assignment
Loaisiga, 30, is working his way back from elbow surgery that limited him to just four scoreless innings last season. Across his big-league career, he owns a solid 3.44 ERA with a 207-to-72 strikeout-to-walk ratio over 219.2 innings. While the Yankees have not given a timeline for his return to the majors, his progress will be closely watched as the team looks to stabilize a bullpen that has been shaky at best in the early part of the season.
The Yankees have an off day Thursday before opening a six-game homestand against the Tampa Bay Rays and San Diego Padres — a stretch where bullpen reinforcements could make a significant difference.
While Loáisiga is unlikely to immediately step into the closer role currently occupied by Devin Williams, his track record suggests he could play an important part in shoring up late-inning situations. Since transitioning to a full-time relief role in 2021, Loáisiga has been effective, posting a 2.89 ERA and earning a 3.5 bWAR during that season.
The Yankees’ bullpen badly needs some consistency, especially if they decide to move fan-favorite Luke Weaver into the closer’s spot. Williams has stumbled out of the gate, logging an alarming 11.25 ERA and a -0.8 bWAR across his first eight innings as a Yankee. His struggles have been costly, and frustration from the fanbase is reaching a boiling point.
Despite Loáisiga’s background as a starter, don’t expect him to be stretched out for long relief duties. He typically pitches an inning at a time and has made just two multi-inning appearances since the beginning of the 2022 season.
Aaron Boone addresses Devin Williams’ role
After the Yankees postponed Saturday’s game against Toronto due to weather, manager Aaron Boone addressed the state of his bullpen — and the uncertainty surrounding Williams’ role.
Speaking to MLB, Boone said no decision has been made yet about whether Williams will remain as the team’s closer.
“We’ll still talk through this. I haven’t seen Devin yet. We’ll try to do what’s best for the team and for Devin,” Boone said. “We’ll just get through this bump in the road. I’m still expecting great things.”
Williams Searching for Answers Amid Early-Season Struggles
Friday’s meltdown was Williams’ first official blown save in five opportunities, but it hardly came out of nowhere. Just last week, he allowed four runs to the Rays while trying to protect a sizable lead in Tampa.
Through his first eight innings in pinstripes, Williams has allowed 12 runs (10 earned) while struggling to generate the swing-and-miss stuff that once made him a National League All-Star. Opposing hitters are teeing off on his four-seam fastball, batting .462 against it, and haven’t fared much worse against his signature “Airbender” changeup, hitting .273.
“Nothing’s working right now,” Williams admitted after Friday’s loss. “I wish there was an easy answer, but I’m not really sure. It’s not a good feeling, not being able to get the job done for the team. They put us in a great position to win there, and I couldn’t get it done.”
Boone Stresses Patience as Yankees Seek Bullpen Answers
When asked why Williams remained the closer despite his struggles, Boone pointed to the reliever’s strong track record. Before joining the Yankees in a December trade that sent Nestor Cortes and Caleb Durbin to Milwaukee, Williams had built a reputation as one of baseball’s most dominant late-inning arms, carrying a 1.83 career ERA over 241 appearances with 68 saves.
“I know the results haven’t been great yet,” Boone said. “But a lot of the stuff is still there. The profile of the changeup is still there. He’s been behind in counts, and hitters have taken advantage. Once he starts getting ahead, I expect him to be the dominant closer he’s been in the past.”
For now, the Yankees and their fans can only hope that help arrives — and fast.
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