The testimonies so far in 2025 for the New York Yankees have been extremely front-facing with a healthy display of skill sets. As June settles in, the club can pay more attention to some of their assets and flaws, including pitchers Ryan Yarbrough and Jonathan Loáisiga.
The season is still young, but there’s enough to notice the output of the Yankees’ active roster and key pieces. At this point, everyone that’s active plays a pertinent role on the field. The Yankees are starting to identify who should be here in the long run, and who may be on the ropes to deal.
Pitching will play a heavy role as usual, and the bullpen will be under the microscope the most. Yankees closer Luke Weaver recently suffered a hamstring injury and is now on the injured list. This puts Devin Williams back into the closer role.
More importantly, short and long relievers must be evaluated, and this begins with Yarbrough and Loaisiga. These two bullpen pieces play a significant role in relief, and both are expected to work effectively.
One of these pitchers will be under consideration for a longer stint in the Bronx. The other will be under close review, in line for possible re-assignment.
Ryan Yarbrough Has Been the Yankees’ Savior in Multiple Roles
The Toronto Blue Jays may have some sleepless nights these days as Yarbrough is making them regret cutting him loose. The left-handed pitcher was in the American League East for a portion of the season last year.
The south-paw pitched for Toronto to end the year, after being dealt by the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Blue Jays released Yarbrough just days before the season started.
The Yankees made the best last-minute move by adding Yarbrough to the club. Now, the left-hander has been offering dominant performances in pinstripes and generating a very reliable profile.
A Look at His Stellar Performance So Far
So far in 2025, Ryan Yarbrough has a perfect 3-0 record with 13 games pitched, five games started, and three games finished. He maintains a 2.83 ERA in 41 1/3 innings of work with 40 strikeouts and 11 walks.
Yarbrough’s latest gem on the mound was on June 1st against a former club, the Los Angeles Dodgers. He threw six innings allowing one earned run on four hits, striking out five with zero walks allowed.
Yarbrough has exemplified the role of a reliable long and short reliever, as well as a temporary starter. His game has been polished to result in greater confidence in his pitch repertoire, and his approach on the mound has opened the doors to good results.
The left-hander should be kept throughout the season to assist this Yankees bullpen (and rotation) toward a possible pennant chase.
Loáisiga May Need Close Monitoring and Re-Assessment
Loáisiga is the one name on the watch list for the Yankees. The reliever has returned this season from injury, and has pitched a minimum amount of innings. The right-hander underwent surgery last April to repair his ulnar collateral ligament.
This sidelined him for 13 months. The right-hander has only seen 6 2/3 innings of work, facing 32 batters, striking out six and walking three. He holds a 4.05 ERA in seven games.
Jonathan Loáisiga 🇳🇮 earns his first HOLD in the 2025
He will be a key part in the Yankees bullpen
— Fernando Rayo (@Rayo2Fer) May 28, 2025
Loáisiga has not pitched much due to load management and constant potential hiccups pertaining to his arm health. The Yankees need to assess Loáisiga more consistently to monitor his progress or possible regression.
The reliever’s velocity has been within the expected range, between 94-96 mph on his sinker. His problem is location, command, and effectiveness. The only way to refine this issue is to get more innings under his belt.
The Yankees may need to make a decision within the next four to five weeks. Will Loáisiga be a trade option, or is he a key piece to the bullpen? He’s currently on a one-year, $5 million deal with a club option for 2026.
His free agency could be between 2026 or 2027. The Yankees will need to provide more innings to the right-hander when he’s healthy enough to pitch.
