MLB News: Yankees, Jonathan Loáisiga Reportedly Agree to 1-Year Free-Agent Contract

Jonathan Loáisiga is reportedly staying with the only Major League Baseball team he has ever known.

ESPN's Jorge Castillo reported Wednesday the New York Yankees and the right-handed pitcher agreed to a one-year deal with a team option for 2026. The expectation is Loáisiga will be ready to take the mound by late April after missing most of last season because of elbow surgery.

Loáisiga's health is a major focal point heading into this new contract, as he was limited to just three games and four innings last year. What's more, elbow injuries limited him to 17.2 innings during the 2023 campaign.

The 2021 season is the only time he has pitched more than 48 innings, as he threw 70.2 while posting a 2.17 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 69 strikeouts.

The Yankees needed to solidify their bullpen after Clay Holmes joined the New York Mets this offseason, and a healthy Loáisiga would help them do just that.

In seven seasons with New York, he has a 3.44 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 207 strikeouts in 219.2 innings. He's not someone who will likely close games for the team, but he can help shorten games in the bullpen with a formidable sinker.

It was anything but a foregone conclusion he would return to the Yankees, as Castillo previously reported he also generated interest from the Mets, San Diego Padres, Texas Rangers and Toronto Blue Jays.

But the Yankees made sure he is staying put, and they surely hope he stays healthy and helps them compete for an American League East crown in 2025.