The Yankees’ fortunes took a stark turn when Giancarlo Stanton and Jonathan Loaisiga were placed on the injured list on Wednesday.
An MRI revealed right calf strain that meant a trip to the 10-day IL for Stanton, who hits .285 with 11 home runs and 35 RBIs.
The Yankees also announced that Loaisiga would be going to the IL with a right shoulder problem that would mean another major blow to their bullpen.
Giancarlo Stanton Robert Sabo
Jonathan Loaisiga, Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
“He’s been through some testing over the past few days,” manager Aaron Boone said. “Similar to last year, probably not as bad. It just feels like it’s probably something, as a precaution we need to be smart here and give it a couple of weeks and hopefully that’s all.”
Loaisiga will join Aroldis Chapman and Chad Green as deferred top reliefs. Stanton, who walked out of Wednesday’s extra-inning win over the Orioles in the seventh inning, told Boone he was feeling better Thursday. But the manager still didn’t rule out an IL stay.
Loaisiga was initially turned off from throwing. Maybe this break could be a reset for him. The right-hander has struggled this year, posting a 7.02 ERA in 16.2 innings with a 1.56 WHIP.