Yankees place Jonathan Loaisiga on 60-day IL before home opener

New York reliever was sharp in three appearances; Yankees sign RHP Dennis Santana

Feb 21, 2024; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees pitcher Jonathan Loaisiga poses during Photo Day at / New York Yankees-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Yankees bullpen is slightly thinner with the loss of Jonathan Loaisiga.

Prior to the Yankees’ home opener against the Toronto Blue Jays, the organization placed Loaisiga (right flexor strain) on the 60-day IL retroactive to April 4 on Friday. In conjunction with the move, the Yankees signed right-handed pitcher Dennis Santana (2.79 ERA in 9.2 spring training innings) to a Major League contract and selected him to the active roster.

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Nicknamed “Johnny Lasagna” to Yankees fans, Loaisiga has been a key part of New York’s bullpen since debuting in 2018, with multiple stretches of being inserted into high-leverage situations and set-up duties in between. Manager Aaron Boone revealed an MRI revealed a “significant forearm strain,” a complaint Loaisiga made during his last outing, making the decision easier for the team.

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Loaisiga was highly effective in three appearances during the Yankees’ 6-1 start. He recorded three strikeouts with just one walk across four innings without allowing a run. Like last year and other previous seasons prior to 2024, another extended stint to the IL is cause for concern about his durability and ultimately a place on the roster beyond this season.

The 29-year old, who turns 30 in November, has been an important mainstay in the bullpen. In his seven-year career – all with the Yankees – he owns a career record of 19-11 with a 3.44 ERA, 207 strikeouts and 72 walks in 219.2 innings pitched.

Behind closer Clay Homes and RHP Ian Hamilton, Loaisiga was the third-most used reliever through six games in the early stages of this season. He joins Tommy Kahnle (shoulder) and Scott Effross (back) as key late-inning arms currently on the IL. 

Boone has earned praise for how he has managed his pitching staff through the Yankees’ first seven games. Now without Loaisiga, he will be called upon to better balance and manage names like Luke Weaver, left-handed pitcher Caleb Ferguson and depth moving forward until reinforcements are expected back during the warmer-weather months.