The Diamondbacks were busy on Tuesday, most notably acquiring third baseman Nolan Arenado from the Cardinals.
That wasn’t the only move Arizona made, though, as the club also agreed to a minor league deal with longtime Yankees reliever Jonathan Loáisiga. The pact, first reported by ESPN’s Jorge Castillo, includes an invitation to spring training.
Loáisiga spent the first eight seasons of his major league career in pinstripes, recording a 3.54 ERA over 193 games. The 31-year-old was the Yankees’ third-longest tenured big leaguer, trailing only Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton, but struggled with numerous injuries throughout his tenure.
The righty had his 2025 season debut delayed after elbow surgery limited him to three games in 2024. He went on to record a 4.25 ERA over 29.2 innings before back issues and a flexor strain ended his season.
The Yankees then declined a $5 million club option for Loáisiga.
While rarely healthy, Loáisiga has been electric in the past. He posted a 2.17 ERA over a career-high 70.2 innings in 2021, and he totaled 107 appearances from 2021-2022.
Since then, however, he’s pitched in just 50 games.
Loáisiga is one of several relievers to leave the Yankees in free agency this offseason. Others include, but are not limited to, Devin Williams and Luke Weaver, who both signed with the Mets.
The Yankees have retained Tim Hill, Paul Blackburn and Ryan Yarbrough, though the latter two could serve as rotation depth, too. Other additions to a bullpen that still needs more established arms include Kaleb Ort and Cade Winquest.
