The Yankees’ highly-anticipated home opener was soured on Friday morning with the sudden news that Jonathan Loaisiga was placed on the 60-day IL with a right flexor strain.
The news puts Loaisiga, one of the top arms in the Yankee bullpen out until at least June.
The 29-year-old had allowed no runs and seven hits over four innings of work in the young season, striking out three along the way. He will be a free agent at the end of this season.
Loaisiga has been reliable when healthy across his seven-year career, holding a 3.44 ERA, but his time without injury has been minimal. Numerous arm injuries have limited him to less than 50 innings in all but one season since making his debut in 2018.
The Yankees are also still awaiting Tommy Kahnle’s return from a shoulder injury, but his recovery has hit a snag after not bouncing back like he had hoped after throwing live BP earlier this week.