In early April, an MRI on Jonathan Loaisiga’s right elbow revealed significant damage, leading to the announcement on April 6 that he would undergo season-ending surgery.
While it wasn’t a full Tommy John procedure, which typically requires 14-16 months for recovery, Loaisiga is expected to return in 10-12 months.
This means he could potentially be back during spring training or shortly after the start of the 2025 season. However, since he is a free agent, there’s no guarantee he will return to the New York Yankees.
According to Mark Sanchez of the New York Post, the Yankees have expressed interest in bringing Loaisiga back, provided the terms are right. The Yankees are one of several teams who have sent scouts to evaluate Loaisiga’s progress.
His impressive career 3.44 ERA with the Yankees and ability to reach triple digits on the radar gun when healthy make him an appealing option.
Loaisiga has stated that he plans to begin throwing bullpen sessions in January, which would position him to be ready for the 2025 season. Since relievers generally recover quicker than starters after similar surgeries, this timeline significantly benefits his free-agent market.
Given the Yankees’ need for bullpen reinforcements, Loaisiga could be an affordable and effective option to help them bolster their bullpen in 2025, as he looks to regain his form following several shoulder and elbow injuries.