Due to their inability to acquire a significant pitcher via free agency or the MLB trade deadline, the New York Yankees had serious concerns about their rotation going into this season. An other factor contributing to worries about starting pitching in the Bronx was Gerrit Cole’s injury.
The expectation for manager Aaron Boone and team members was that the Yankees’ pen would perform exceptionally well. The Yankees’ bullpen had allowed only one earned run in 20.2 innings of work coming into Saturday’s game against the Toronto Blue Jays.
This was not the case in the Yankees’ 9-8 victory over Toronto on Saturday, as their relievers let up a total of six runs.
Even though the Yankees have a strong 7-2 record through nine games, the news from Saturday night has raised more questions about the team’s pitching staff.
Jonathan Loaisiga, a reliever for the New York Yankees, will have surgery to conclude his season.
According to Bryan Hoch of MLB.com, Loaisiga, 29, will have elbow surgery. This will cost the talented reliever the rest of the 2023 MLB season, even though it’s not Tommy John. The previous day, Loaisiga had been added to New York’s 60-day injured list. It follows three appearances this season in which he pitched four scoreless innings and was awarded a win in relief.
Unquestionably a reliable component of the Yankees’ bullpen, Loaisiga’s elbow ailment kept him from playing more than 17.2 innings in the previous year.
In 57 outings, Loaisiga had a 2.17 ERA and 1.02 WHIP in 221—his greatest season with the Yankees. Ever since making his MLB debut in 2018, he has been a member of the team.
The Yankees will be depending more on Ian Hamilton, Caleb Ferguson, and Nick Purdi to fill in for closer Clay Holmes as a result of Loaisiga’s injury. Jake Cousins and Luke Weaver should also have bigger roles in the future.
It’s not the perfect situation.
