The New York Yankees’ concerns about Jonathan Loaisiga’s forearm injury have materialized into a harsh reality. Following his placement on the 60-day Injured List due to a severe right flexor strain, the right-handed pitcher will undergo surgery, sidelining him for the next 10-12 months and effectively ruling out his return for the remainder of the 2024 season. Loaisiga’s promising start to the season, with four scoreless innings in Houston and Arizona, abruptly ended when he experienced discomfort in his elbow, leading to diagnostic tests revealing significant damage to his forearm.

Typically, when a player is placed on the 60-day IL due to a flexor strain, the immediate concern is the possibility of Tommy John Surgery. While specifics about the surgery haven’t been disclosed by Meredith Marakovits, the reported timeframe suggests it involves some form of elbow reconstruction surgery. An update from Bryan Hoch confirms that Loaisiga will undergo elbow surgery to reconstruct a torn UCL, as relayed by the player himself.

Losing Loaisiga is a significant blow for the Yankees, who had hoped to utilize him in a multi-inning relief role to mitigate stress on his arm. However, with the right-hander now sidelined for the season, his future with the team becomes uncertain, especially considering he is set to become a free agent after the season. The Yankees’ reluctance to invest heavily in relievers, coupled with Loaisiga’s recurring elbow issues over the past few seasons, raises doubts about his long-term prospects in New York.

Despite his talent and effectiveness, demonstrated by his ability to generate groundballs and maintain a commendable 2.49 ERA, Loaisiga’s frequent injuries have limited his availability. His absence leaves a void in the Yankees’ bullpen, as they lack a multi-inning weapon capable of handling high-leverage situations efficiently. While Dennis Santana has been called up to fill the void left by Loaisiga, the team faces challenges in maintaining their bullpen strength without him.

The Yankees have shown considerable faith in Loaisiga since his breakout in 2021, but this injury may mark the end of his tenure in New York, leaving the team in a precarious position as they navigate the remainder of the season.