Yankees' Jonathan Loáisiga Placed on 60-Day IL with Elbow Injury

The New York Yankees placed pitcher Jonathan Loáisiga on the 60-day injured list with a right flexor strain.

The right-hander has thrown four innings so far this season, striking out three batters and allowing zero runs. He most recently came on in the ninth inning to to preserve a 2-2 tie against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Tuesday. The Yanks ultimately won 6-5 in 11 innings.

In the minors and early into his MLB career, Loáisiga shuttled between the rotation and the bullpen a bit. The team eventually started using him exclusively as a reliever in 2021.

The 29-year-old's role looked set to evolve a bit after New York dealt Michael King to the San Diego Padres as part of the Juan Soto trade.

"Especially for the first half, we discussed going multiple innings and resting two days and then going back out there," he said in March. "As of right now, that's what we're shooting for for the first half. And then in the second half, probably one inning, back-to-back days. But it's an ongoing dialogue."

Those plans will have to be put on hold and Loáisiga immediately going to the 60-day IL is a foreboding sign. He had surgery last May to remove a bone spur from his right elbow. While he returned in early August, he began experiencing elbow inflammation that necessitated another IL stint.

Loáisiga is assured of missing at least two months and fans are left to wonder whether his absence will extend beyond given his continued elbow trouble.