Loaisiga working his way back
Long before Thursday night’s series opener against the White Sox started, Jonathan Loaisiga was on the grass at Guaranteed Rate Field playing catch. The right-hander, who was part of the Yankees’ plans for starting pitching depth this season, is beginning his rehab from right shoulder strain.
That could be a big boost for the Yankees, but they aren’t exactly sure how they will use him. The 24-year old has had flashes of brilliance and struggles with injuries throughout his brief career.
He burst onto the scene last season, going 2-0 with a 3.00 ERA in four starts last season. After a bout with right shoulder inflammation, Loaisiga struggled in five appearances out of the pen, pitching to a 10.80 ERA. Notable in the 24.2 innings he pitched last season, however, was the fact the righthander struck out 33 batters.
The Yankees are desperate for starting pitching right now. Domingo German, who beat out Loaisiga for a starting spot this spring, is on the injured list with a hip flexor strain and has struggled over his last four
starts. Luis Severino has yet to throw a pitch in a game this season and is still weeks away from his return from a right lat strain.
The bullpen had been impressive this season, but their multi-innings guys have struggled. Loaisiga would profile as a long reliever, obviously.
Boone said it will be a case of Loaisiga filling their biggest need at the moment.
“I mean I can envision both, frankly. Depends where we are when he gets to that point where he is ready to contribute again,” Boone said. “What’s our personnel look like, what’s our pen looking like. Just see where we are when we are ready to
go.”
OPENING NIGHT
The Yankees are most likely going to have to use an opener again on Saturday night. Boone said they have other options, but would not commit to how they will fill German’s spot in the rotation this time through.
“It could be an opener,” Boone said. “It could be Nestor (Cortes, Jr.). We’ll have to see how these next few days play out.” Cortes was recalled from Triple-A Scranton before Thursday night’s game. The lefty pitched three perfect innings for the Yankees on Sunday.
MORALES INJURY
Kendrys Morales left Tuesday’s game against the Mets with a tightness in his left calf. The veteran first baseman/designated hitter was sent for an MRI.
“He came out of the game the first game of the doubleheader, a little tightness in calf… when we examined him, we decided he needed an MRI,” Boone said. “It did show a small strain in there. He’s going on the IL. Think it’s something Kendrys felt he could manage. Don’t think it was real serious, but enough to prompt us to make the move.”
In 19 games with the Yankees, Morales was 11-for-62 with five RBI. With Giancarlo Stanton likely back as soon as Tuesday and Aaron Judge following him in the not too distant future, Morales may have played his last game as a Yankee.