Arizona Diamondbacks Sign Jonathan Loaisaga

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January 13, 2026

Free agent reliever Jonathan Loaisaga has agreed to a minor league deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks, marking the end of his eight-year tenure with the New York Yankees.

In 2025, Loaisaga pitched to a 4.25 ERA in 30 outings, 22 of them scoreless. He posted an 18.5% strikeout rate, as well as a 7.4% walk rate. He struggled as a closer, converting just one of four save opportunities.

A Promising but Injury-Riddled Career

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Loaisaga joined the Yankees in 2018, making his major league debut on June 15. He appeared in nine games for the Yankees that season, making four starts across 24 2/3 innings. He continued in this role for the next two seasons, alternating between the bullpen and starting rotation. In 2019 and 2020, he made 27 appearances, seven of them as a starter.

In 2021, Loaisaga transitioned into a full-time reliever, and the returns were more than promising. That season, he posted career highs in appearances (57), wins (9), innings pitched (70 2/3), strikeouts (69), and WAR (3.3).

Unfortunately, following his breakout 2021 campaign, Loaisaga never regained his previous form due to multiple injuries. After 67 up-and-down relief appearances in 2022 and 2023, Loaisaga watched his 2024 season end after just three games due to a Ulnar Collateral Ligament tear in his right elbow.

Loaisaga missed the first six weeks of the 2025 season before making his season debut in May. In August, the Yankees shut him down for the season due to a flexor strain in his right elbow. Thankfully, he didn’t need surgery, and the 31-year-old is expected to be ready by Opening Day.

Bullpen Outlooks for Both Sides

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By not re-signing Loaisaga, the Yankees’ bullpen continues to get weaker heading into 2026. The group posted the fifth-highest ERA in baseball last season and has already lost several key contributors in free agency. This offseason, Devin Williams and Luke Weaver have teamed up on the New York Mets, Mark Leiter Jr. has joined the Athletics, and Ian Hamilton has agreed to a deal with the Atlanta Braves. The four combined for 215 innings in 2025, meaning the Yankees will have a large number of innings to allocate elsewhere.

2025 was a rough year for the Diamondbacks’ bullpen, so the team is hoping the addition of Loaisaga helps. Last season, only the Washington Nationals and Colorado Rockies posted higher bullpen ERAs in the National League. They traded away their best reliever, Shelby Miller, at the 2025 trade deadline, which only made things worse for the group.

Loaisaga does have closing experience, although his most likely role with the Diamondbacks is as a set-up man. However, with the eight-year veteran only being signed to a minor league deal, he’ll need to earn his roster spot during spring training next month.