Right-hander Jonathan Loáisiga and the Yankees agreed on a one-year contract with a team option for 2026, according to ESPN’s Jorge Castillo.
The reliever missed most of the 2024 season after undergoing elbow surgery, but Castillo reports he is expected be ready to pitch in late April.
Right-hander Jonathan Loáisiga and the Yankees have agreed on a one-year contract with a team option for 2026, a source tells ESPN. Loáisiga, 30, missed most of the 2024 season after undergoing elbow surgery. He is expected be ready to pitch in late April.
— Jorge Castillo (@jorgecastillo) December 12, 2024
The Mets were also reported to have interest in the pitcher on a multiyear contract.
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Loáisiga, 30, has spent the last four seasons pitching out of the Yankees’ bullpen when healthy. The native of Managua, Nicaragua was known for his versatility out of the Yankees’ pen, even making 11 starts from 2018-20.
Loáisiga is also known for a long injury history. He made three scoreless appearances for the Yankees in April before succumbing to a right flexor strain that ended his season. He also ended the 2023 season on the injured list with inflammation in his right elbow.
In 163 career games (11 starts), Loáisiga is 19-11 with a 3.44 ERA and 207 strikeouts in 219.2 innings.
On June 15, 2018, Loáisiga became the first Nicaraguan-born player to appear in a game for the Yankees, and the 15th ever in MLB, when he made his big league debut. His father and his grandfather were both accomplished players in Nicaragua.
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On June 25, 2021, Loáisiga became the first relief pitcher in Yankees history to strike out four batters in one inning.
Loáisiga would likely slot into a bullpen without an established closer after Clay Holmes left for the Mets in free agency.
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