After a turbulent start to the season, the Yankees are on the verge of getting a major bullpen boost — and the timing couldn’t be better.
Jonathan Loaisiga Nears Return from Injury
Right-handed reliever Jonathan Loaisiga has officially begun a rehab assignment with Class-A Tampa as of April 26. Yankees manager Aaron Boone confirmed that the team is taking a gradual approach, aiming to build Loaisiga up to the point where he can pitch on consecutive days without issue.
His next scheduled outing is set for Wednesday, April 30. If there are no setbacks, the team expects to move him up to Double-A or Triple-A within a week.
While the Yankees are being cautious, there’s plenty of optimism surrounding Loaisiga’s comeback.
Why Loaisiga’s Return Could Be a Game-Changer
Loaisiga signed a one-year, $5 million contract this offseason with a club option for 2026 — a deal that could prove to be a steal if he regains his previous form.
At his best, Loaisiga is one of the most electric arms in the game. Back in 2021, he posted a 2.17 ERA over 70.2 innings and was a go-to option in high-leverage situations. Although limited by injuries last year, he still managed to throw four scoreless innings before being sidelined again.
Loaisiga hasn’t pitched more than 20 innings in a season since 2022, but early signs are encouraging: his velocity is back, and there’s cautious hope that his body will hold up this time.
Jonathan Loaisiga
A Bullpen in Need of Reinforcements
The Yankees’ bullpen has held up decently, but inconsistencies remain. Luke Weaver has stepped in effectively as the closer following Devin Williams’ struggles, but the team knows that deep playoff runs rely on not just talent, but bullpen depth.
Bringing Loaisiga back gives manager Aaron Boone another weapon to shorten games and keep other relievers fresh — a huge advantage as the season wears on.
Think of him as a turbo boost to an already strong engine: the Yankees don’t just want to hold leads — they want to shut teams down late.
What’s Ahead
If Loaisiga completes his rehab without any issues, he could rejoin the Yankees by mid-to-late May. After a long, injury-riddled journey, he may become the midseason X-factor that turns the Yankees’ bullpen into one of the league’s most dominant units — right when it counts.
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