The Subway Series kicks off Friday night in the Bronx, and the New York Yankees have a final curveball for their crosstown rivals.
When the Yankees take the field to square off against Juan Soto and the New York Mets, their bullpen will look a little different. The series could mark the season debut of a fan-favorite reliever, while a lefty with championship pedigree is off the squad.
On Friday, the Yankees announced that right-handed pitcher Jonathan Loáisiga was being activated off the 15-day injured list and returned to the big-league roster after his rehab assignment. Loáisiga underwent internal brace surgery on his elbow last April and hasn’t appeared in a major league game since.
Meanwhile, in a corresponding move, left-handed reliever Tyler Matzek, a 2021 World Series champion with the Atlanta Braves, had been designated for assignment.
In addition, left-handed pitcher Clayton Beeter was activated off the 15-day IL and optioned to Triple-A.
Matzek, 34, joined the Yankees this year on a minor league contract and started the year at Triple-A after failing to make the Opening Day roster. He was called up to the big leagues on Apr. 22 and had a 4.26 ERA (three earned runs) with 11 hits allowed and five walks in 6 1/3 innings.
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Loáisiga has been a stud in the Yankees bullpen in years past, with the 2021 season standing out from his ledger. He put up a 2.17 ERA in 70 2/3 innings that year, most of them high-leverage, and racked up a career-high 3.3 bWAR.
It will take a while for Loaisiga to ease back into action, but he could be a factor in key spots for the Yankees at some point this season.
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