By Alfredo Echenique Lugo
06 Apr 2024, 17:11 PM EDT
Last Thursday the New York Yankees moved Nicaraguan pitcher Jonathan Loáisiga to the injured list while his situation was evaluated. However, this Saturday the team itself confirmed the worst news and that is that the right-hander will undergo surgery that will keep him out of the rest of the season.
The news was reported by the Yankees manager, Aaron Boone, at the press conference prior to the game against the Toronto Blue Jays. The helmsman of the bomber team lamented the hard loss that the franchise will have in the bullpen at the start of the season.
“It is obviously difficult news. The first thing I think is that you feel for him, he is throwing the ball very well. He’s dealt with things over the years, it just added up to this point. “I know they are gathering feedback and making sure everything is ready, but someone else needs to emerge, step up and become an important role.”
The Yankees’ plan for Loáisiga in 2024 was for him to have a more leading role in the team’s relief. And fill the role Michael King had last year, pitching multiple innings out of the bullpen to close the gap on closer Clay Holmes.
Now the team led by Aaron Boone will have to look for other alternatives to reinforce the bullpen in a season that is just beginning and that will possibly face new casualties as the campaign progresses.
Boone also commented on the great difficulties that Loáisiga has had in his career. Well, he has always gone through injuries that have prevented him from developing his full potential in a season.
“Every year something has happened to trip him up. Sometimes short periods of time, sometimes longer. Whatever path he takes here, I hope it is something that will serve him well for the rest of his career because he is a really good pitcher,” the manager explained.
Loaisiga avoided salary arbitration this year and agreed with the Yankees for $2.4 million dollars. However, this will be his last year of contract with the New York entity. The 29-year-old right-hander pitched just three innings this season. In which he did not allow runs, he struck out three and left his average at zero.
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