How Loáisiga fared in return to Yankees' 'pen

This story was excerpted from Bryan Hoch’s Yankees Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

The Yankees’ bullpen has been a consistent strength during a season in which bright spots have been difficult to come by. The 'pen became even more formidable this week with Jonathan Loáisiga’s return.

Loáisiga was activated from the injured list during the Yanks’ series against the White Sox in Chicago, firing a scoreless ninth inning to close out New York’s 7-1 win on Tuesday.

“He’s got electric stuff, obviously,” said outfielder Harrison Bader. “Just a great presence, too, in the clubhouse and behind the scenes. He’s always got a smile on his face. I know it means a lot to him to go out there and compete with us and alongside us. I'm happy. It’s like he never left.”

The appearance marked Loáisiga’s first in 108 games, having undergone surgery following three March/April appearances to remove a bone spur in his pitching elbow. The 28-year-old was throwing gas, showcasing a 99.1 mph fastball while flashing his sinker, changeup and curveball.

“Game 1, and he’s absolutely electric,” said reliever Michael King. “It’s just good to have our bullpen guys back. We gel together down there, and he was such a big part of our team for the last few years. So, missing him, it was big. I know we filled his hole really well, but he definitely increases the bullpen velo there.”

The Yankees’ relief crew has been the most dominant in baseball, carrying a Major League-best 3.18 ERA into Thursday's action. Yet the group has had a heavy workload, covering the Majors’ ninth-most innings at 433 2/3, which makes Loáisiga’s return all the more welcome.

“It was just good to see him come in so sharp,” manager Aaron Boone said. “I don't care so much about the number, but you could see the two-seam action from the bench there. Just that he came in and just had a real easy time of it, that was really good to see. Just fill up the strike zone, execute. I do feel like he's in a good place physically, and I’ve felt that way for about the last month as he's been getting ramped up.”

Health, not stuff, has been the issue over Loáisiga’s career. He pitched to a strong 2.17 ERA over 57 appearances in 2021, then got hit around a bit in ’22, when he logged a 4.13 ERA in 50 games. Tuesday’s appearance suggested there could be plenty more swing-and-miss coming from Loáisiga’s right arm down the stretch this season.

“It makes the game a lot shorter,” said starter Clarke Schmidt. “It almost cuts off an inning, in a sense, towards the back end of the game. He's one of the best relievers in the game when he's healthy, like he is right now. Obviously, everybody sees his stuff and what he's capable of doing. It’s a big boost for us, for sure.”