Jonathan Loaisiga’s one mistake spoils would-be solid outing for Yankees

Jonathan Loáisiga’s importance to the depleted and shaky Yankees bullpen cannot be overstated. 

It has made his ongoing slump — including another home run allowed in Saturday’s 5-2 loss to the Cubs — that much harder to accept. 

Loáisiga threw a 1-2-3 seventh inning before he was taken deep for a solo shot by Chicago catcher Carson Kelly on a hanging 0-2 curveball leading off the eighth.

It marked the third homer the righty reliever has surrendered in his past two appearances. 

He also has now coughed up eight earned runs in his past seven innings over his past seven outings out of the bullpen to boost his ERA this season to 5.01 in 22 games. 

Jonathan Loáisiga reacts dejectedly after giving up a solo homer to Carson Kelly during the Yankees’ 5-2 loss to the Mariners on July 12, 2025. Robert Sabo for NY Post

“Today [his stuff was] so good. But it was the one pitch there, and I’ve said it a lot up here when it comes to Lo, it’s that next level of execution and that fine line between him being dominant and getting hit a little bit,” Aaron Boone said. “Righties hitting the ball out of the yard against him is very uncommon. 

“Today was very Lo-ish in a lot of ways: rifling through that first inning, and then just flips one in there. That’s what we’ve gotta get him [to do] in there. The stuff is in line and it’s there, but we’ve gotta get that next line of precision and execution.” 

Jonathan Loáisiga pitches during the Yankees’ loss to the Cubs. AP

The 30-year-old Loáisiga underwent elbow surgery — albeit not Tommy John reconstruction — in April of last season, but he does not believe he still is shaking off the rust from that lengthy shutdown. 

“No. I felt really good out there. I’m recuperating pretty well and feeling strong and normal out there,” Loáisiga said through translator Marlon Abreu. “I keep praying for health for the rest of the season and I know things will turn around and I will start getting the results I want. 

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“This is my seventh season in the league. Guys have adjusted to me throughout the years, and I have full trust in the adjustments that I need to make and that I can get the results I know I can get.” 

Loáisiga also gave up home runs to Randy Arozarena and Cole Young during his previous outing Wednesday against the Mariners. He’s already matched his career high with six home runs allowed this season. 

“When he’s at his best, righties are really struggling against him with that sinker of his,” Boone said. “I don’t feel like we have to reinvent it because we have a struggling guy. His stuff is down and it’s where it needs to be … I just think it’s that next level of execution.”