The Yankees’ bullpen has performed remarkably well at the start of the 2024 season, boasting a 1.27 ERA, which places them fourth in the MLB. They’ve secured the second spot with five saves and have shown efficiency against both the Houston Astros and Arizona Diamondbacks in the initial series of the season.
Ian Hamilton has been a valuable addition to the team, especially with key players like Scott Effross, Lou Trivino, and Tommy Kahnle sidelined due to injuries. Effross and Trivino are anticipated to return around the trade deadline this summer. Unfortunately, Kahnle’s recovery has suffered a setback following difficulties in bouncing back from a live pitching session.
Regrettably, on Friday morning, the Yankees announced that Jonathan Loaisiga has been placed on the 60-day injured list due to a right flexor strain. This indicates that Loaisiga will probably be sidelined until at least June.
Loaisiga, who is 29 years old, has struggled with injuries in recent years, only pitching 17.2 innings in 2023. His last significant season was in 2021 when he pitched 70.2 innings.
Despite Loaisiga’s promising start to the year with no runs conceded over three appearances and a notable ground ball rate of 56.3%, his absence will be deeply felt in the bullpen. The Yankees had planned to utilize him as a long-inning relief pitcher, balancing his workload to prioritize his health.
It’s becoming increasingly evident that Loaisiga’s injury proneness outweighs his reliability as a consistent player, indicating a pattern rather than mere bad luck.
To fill the gap left by Loaisiga, the Yankees have called up Dennis Santana, a 27-year-old pitcher who had a brief stint with the Mets last year. Santana showcased promising performance during spring training with the Yankees, boasting a 2.79 ERA over 9.2 innings, along with impressive strikeout and ground ball rates.
While the bullpen remains robust, losing Loaisiga is a significant setback, and the team will need to find ways to compensate until his expected return in the summer.