Jonathan Loaisiga is already back on the injured list.
The Yankees reliever landed on the 60-day IL Friday morning with a right flexor strain after making three appearances in the first week of the season.
Dennis Santana was recalled from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre ahead of Friday’s home opener against the Blue Jays.
Loaisiga, who will now be out until at least June, has been one of the Yankees’ best arms in recent years, but he hasn’t been able to stay healthy.
He missed time last year with two stints on the IL for elbow inflammation, including one that required surgery in May to remove bone spurs in his elbow.
Loaisiga, 29, a free agent after this season, also missed time with shoulder issues.
The Yankees planned to use Loaisiga in a multi-inning role with several days between each outing.
But he pitched two innings on Opening Day last Thursday, then one inning last Sunday and one inning Wednesday.
He hadn’t allowed a run in four innings, but allowed seven hits and one walk while striking out three.
Without Loaisiga, the Yankees will likely have to rely more on Ian Hamilton, Caleb Ferguson and Nick Burdi as setup men before handing the ball to Clay Holmes.
New York Post
