The pending return of Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge to the New York Yankees‘ active roster has, with good reason, stolen all the headlines in the Bombers’ universe. It’s clear that the club needs them both to mount a fight for a playoff spot. But another crucial player, in this case a pitcher, also has a chance to rejoin the team in the next few days, even sooner that the slugging duo.
Jonathan Loaisiga has been out of the Yankees’ active roster for a week for undisclosed reasons, but according to Max Goodman of Sports Illustrated, that could change as soon as Tuesday.
Placed by the New York Yankees on the injured list on September 4 but retroactive to September 2, it appears that Loaisiga will only require a few more days than the minimum.
The Yankees miss Loaisiga’s versatility
“Jonathan Loaisiga will throw a bullpen today, Aaron Boone says. If that goes well, another will follow on Sunday and then the hope is for him to be activated on Tuesday,” Goodman wrote on his Twitter account.
It represents an excellent piece of news for a New York Yankees team that has had a surprisingly mediocre year when it comes to the performance of its relievers. Loaisiga, fortunately, has been one of the few bright spots for Boone and company.
For the season, the right-hander has a 3.18 ERA with a 4.36 FIP in eight games, three of which have been starts. In 17.0 frames, he has a 10.59 K/9 mark and a 2.12 BB/9 one: it means that he has been striking out lots of batters and limiting walks.
It’s possible that his 89.3 strand rate is a tad high, but so is his 30.0 HR/FB rate. All things considered, he has been pretty much legit, and the Yankees will welcome his talented right arm when he returns from his condition.