Jonathan

Loáisiga

Loáisiga opened the season as perhaps the most intriguing alternative to Paul Sewald in the closer’s role for the Diamondbacks, but he hasn’t much helped himself since. His 4.00 ERA in nine innings isn’t so bad, but three blown leads is a problem. He gave up a go-ahead two-run homer to Pete Alonso in a one-run game tonight.

The D-backs couldn’t score in the top of the 10th, so Sewald entered with no margin for error. Bo Bichette started the inning with a hard smash to second that Ketel Marte made a great diving play on, with the automatic runner advancing to third. Ronny Mauricio then won the game with a hard liner to right. Corbin Carroll had no chance of catching it while playing in, and it probably still would have been over his head if he were at a normal depth. Sewald dropped to 0-2, but his ERA was unaffected. It probably didn’t hurt his status as Arizona’s closer, especially since the guy who seems like the best alternative, Jonathan Loáisiga, gave up a run and took a blown save in the eighth.

Loáisiga got the save chance with Paul Sewald seemingly unavailable, it didn’t go well. He gave up a run-scoring single to Drake Baldwin to blow that chance and up his ERA to 1.69 on the campaign. He likely will see save chances at some point, but Sewald seems like the guy right now.

The Diamondbacks called on Loáisiga for the save after Paul Sewald earned saves in back-to-back days leading into this game. He stood up to the task despite allowing two hits in a one run game by forcing a double-play ball after Kevin McGonigle’s lead-off single. This is a great indication to us that he would be next in line for saves should Sewald faltered.

Loáisiga looked like one of Arizona’s best relievers this spring, and he should be a part of the eighth- or ninth-inning mix right away. If he can just stay healthy, he might wind up leading the team in saves. Still, we’re talking about a 31-year-old who has only once topped 50 innings in the majors. He hasn’t made more than 30 appearances since 2022.

The oft-injured Loáisiga is throwing well this spring, having given up two runs in four innings, and seems like a good bet to make the Diamondbacks. He might well prove to be their best reliever while healthy, which could lead to save chances early on.

Loáisig became a free agent after the Yankees declined a $5 million option for 2026. The injury-prone 31-year-old has a 3.54 ERA in 249 1/3 innings over parts of eight seasons. He last topped 30 innings in 2022, and he’s thrown more than 50 innings just once, when he had a 2.17 ERA over 70 2/3 innings in 2021. He finished last season on the IL with a back strain and an elbow strain that came about while he was trying to rehab.

There’s still a chance that Loáisiga will be back with the Yankees on a cheaper contract, but the team was not going to pay $5 million to a pitcher who hasn’t thrown 30 innings since 2022. The 31-year-old Loáisiga has battled injuries over the last few seasons, including a back injury and flexor strain last year, but he also has a 3.54 career ERA in 249 1/3 MLB innings, so there will be interested teams this offseason.

Loáisiga was pulled off a minor league rehab assignment earlier this week and it’s possible his season is over. The 30-year-old righty has been out since early August dealing with mid-back tightness.

Loáisiga has been on the shelf since early August dealing with mid-back tightness. He might only need a couple rehab outings to return to form before rejoining New York’s relief corps.