In a move that has sparked interest among baseball fans, the Arizona Diamondbacks have reached an agreement with right-handed pitcher Jonathan Loáisiga for a minor league contract, according to a report by Jorge Castillo of ESPN. This deal means that Loáisiga will join the Diamondbacks during their spring training, where he will compete for a spot on the big league roster.
Loáisiga, who is now 31 years old, has exhibited significant talent throughout his career; however, injuries have often impeded his progress. His standout season came in 2021 when he delivered an impressive performance for the New York Yankees, logging 70 and two-thirds innings with a remarkable earned run average (ERA) of 2.17. During this season, he showcased his exceptional ability to pitch, averaging close to 98 miles per hour with both his four-seam fastball and sinker, while also utilizing a mix of pitches including a cutter, curveball, slider, and changeup. Notably, he struck out 24.4% of the batters he faced, maintained a low walk rate of just 5.7%, and induced ground balls on an impressive 60.9% of balls put in play. That year, he contributed significantly to the Yankees' bullpen, accumulating five saves and ten holds.
However, the following season was less favorable. Loáisiga encountered inflammation in his throwing shoulder, which sidelined him for approximately six weeks, leading to a final tally of 48 innings pitched and a 4.13 ERA. Although his ground ball rate remained stable, his strikeout rate plummeted to 18.2%, and his walks increased to 9.4%. In 2023, injuries further plagued his performance, limiting him to just 17 and two-thirds innings due to elbow issues. Consequently, he underwent surgery on his ulnar collateral ligament in April 2024. While he began the 2025 season on the injured list as he recovered, he was activated in mid-May.
Last year, Loáisiga pitched a total of 29 and two-thirds innings, finishing with a 4.25 ERA, an 18.5% strikeout rate, and a 7.4% walk rate, all while maintaining a 50.5% ground ball rate. However, his average fastball velocity had dipped below 97 mph. Unfortunately, he faced another setback in August due to back tightness, and while rehabbing from this minor injury, he sustained a lat strain, which prevented him from making a return before the end of the season. As a result, the Yankees opted not to exercise a $5 million club option for his services for the 2026 season.
Both the Diamondbacks and Loáisiga are optimistic about his potential for recovery and a successful comeback in 2026. The Diamondbacks are particularly in need of improvements to their bullpen, as their relief pitching in 2025 struggled significantly. The team's bullpen finished the season with a collective ERA of 4.82, ranking them among the lower tiers in Major League Baseball. Key players expected to lead the bullpen, such as A.J. Puk and Justin Martínez, both required ulnar collateral ligament surgeries during the first half of the season, further complicating the situation.
As the Diamondbacks look ahead to 2026, they face the challenge of enhancing their roster while likely operating under a tighter payroll. With priorities such as bolstering the rotation and outfield still in play, it will be interesting to see how they navigate potential additions to their bullpen in the coming days. John Gambadoro from Arizona Sports has reported that the club is considering making further bullpen signings soon. For the time being, Loáisiga represents a promising option without occupying a spot on the active roster. If he eventually makes the major league roster, his salary is expected to be manageable, adding another layer of intrigue to this acquisition.
Photo credit: Jason Parkhurst, Imagn Images
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