2 hours ago
3
The Yankees’ longest-tenured pitcher is headed to the desert for 2026.
Right-hander Jonathan Loaisiga, who has been with the Yankees’ organization since 2016, agreed to a minor league deal with the Diamondbacks, The Post’s Jon Heyman confirmed on Tuesday.
ESPN’s Jorge Castillo first reported the deal, which includes an invitation to spring training.
Jonathan Loaisiga. Corey Sipkin for the NY POSTLoaisiga, who made his MLB debut in 2018, was the Yankees’ third-longest serving player besides Aaron Judge (2017) and Giancarlo Stanton (2018).
The 31-year-old hit free agency in November after New York declined to pick up his $5 million option for 2026, coming off another injury-riddled season.
Loaisiga re-signed with the Yankees on a one-year deal last offseason after fielding interest with the Mets.
After undergoing season-ending UCL surgery on his right elbow in April 2024, Loaisiga returned in mid-May during the Subway Series, tossing a scoreless inning.
“A lot of adrenaline. I was missing it,” Loaisiga said through an interpreter after his return. “I wanted to be out there, pitching for the team, pitching for the fans. I was really missing it and excited to be back.”
He recorded a 4.25 ERA in 30 appearances, averaging nearly 97 mph on his sinker, per Baseball Savant, before hitting the injured list with a back injury and then a season-ending flexor strain.
While injuries have limited him to just 50 appearances since 2023, Loaisiga, at one point, was one of the Yankees’ most trusted late-inning relievers.
He broke out in 2021, going 9-4 with a 2.17 ERA and 69 punchouts over 70 2/3 innings, including nailing down five saves.
His ERA nearly doubled to 4.13 ERA in 2022, but he was still deployed for 50 respectable appearances.
When healthy, Loaisiga has proven himself as a steady late-inning weapon, a form he will look to recapture in Arizona.
Loaisiga’s signing was part of a busy day for the Diamondbacks, who also acquired eight-time All-Star third baseman Nolan Arenado from the Cardinals.
English (US)