Season-Ending News Predicted to End Pitcher's Yankees Career

Relief pitcher Jonathan Loáisiga will miss the rest of the season with a flexor strain, manager Aaron Boone said pre-game. However, the right-hander does not need surgery.

Loásiga finished with a 4.25 ERA over 30 appearances this season, but he was one of New York's best relievers before tearing his UCL last year. The 30-year-old recorded a 3.06 ERA over 17 games in 2023 and a 2.17 ERA over 57 outings in 2021.

The Yankees could have used a healthy Loáisiga to help their struggling bullpen, but it won't happen in 2025. In fact, NJ.com's Max Goodman thinks it'll never happen again.

"Very good chance that Jonathan Loáisiga has thrown his final pitch in a Yankees uniform," he said.

Yankees Have Decisions to Make

Loáisiga has a $5 million club option this offseason, so New York could decline it and move on. Although the native Nicaraguan was reliable pre-injury, he was less effective after returning this year.

Meanwhile, the Yankees might want to call up a reliever in Loáisiga's place. They could tap right-hander Yerry de los Santos (0-1, 3.28 ERA), who they sent down on Tuesday to make room for fellow right-hander Fernando Cruz (2-3, 2.94 ERA). The 27-year-old has a 6.97 ERA in August, but he had a 1.69 ERA in July, a 0.00 ERA in June, and a 3.60 ERA in May.

New York will start a four-game series against the White Sox on Thursday before facing the Houston Astros. After that, it will host the Toronto Blue Jays and Detroit Tigers before hitting the road to play the Boston Red Sox and Baltimore Orioles.