Yankees Decline Option on Reliever
- Matthew Nethercott
- Nov 5, 2025
- 2 min read
Jonathan Loáisiga becomes a free agent
THE BRONX, NY — The New York Yankees have declined their club option on reliever Jonathan Loáisiga, making him a free agent. The move ends a seven-season tenure in the Bronx for the right-hander, who at times flashed elite potential but struggled to stay healthy enough to establish long-term consistency.
Loáisiga debuted in 2018 with sky-high expectations thanks to his power arsenal, wipeout changeup, and fearless mound presence, and he appeared poised to become a staple in the Yankees’ bullpen core.
Loáisiga’s best stretch came in 2021, when he emerged as one of the most dominant relievers in baseball. Posting a sub-3.00 ERA and showing exceptional command with increased velocity, he became a go-to late-inning weapon for manager Aaron Boone.
However, injuries repeatedly halted his momentum. Arm and shoulder issues limited his availability over multiple seasons, preventing him from fulfilling the high-leverage role the Yankees envisioned. Even when he was healthy, the lack of sustained durability ultimately made retaining him a risk for a team looking to build a more reliable bullpen around young arms and proven veterans alike.
When Loáisiga was on the field in 2025, he posted a 4.25 ERA in 30 games. Loáisiga also gave up a career-high 7 home runs throughout the season. Loáisiga was placed on the IL on August 3rd with an elbow injury, and did not return for the rest of the season.
Now, Loáisiga enters the open market as an intriguing upside play for clubs seeking bullpen depth with the potential for more. Though durability remains a question, his raw stuff and postseason experience should make him an appealing target in free agency—particularly for teams confident in their ability to keep pitchers healthy and optimize their workloads. As for the Yankees, declining the option opens flexibility as they look to reshape the bullpen, but it also marks the departure of a homegrown arm who, when right, showcased flashes of All-Star-caliber talent.
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