Yankees Revamp Bullpen, Cut Jonathan Loaisiga, Keep Tim Hill

The New York Yankees are wasting no time setting the tone for their offseason. They’ve made some clear-cut moves in the bullpen, leaning into reliability instead of chasing raw potential.

That’s pretty obvious in how they’re sticking with veteran lefty Tim Hill, but letting go of right-hander Jonathan Loáisiga. These choices show the Yankees want durability and steady performance as they shape their relief corps for the seasons ahead.

Yankees Opt for Consistency in Tim Hill

At 35, Tim Hill turned into one of the Yankees’ most dependable arms in 2025. He’s a rare sidearm lefty, and his knack for pounding the strike zone and generating ground balls made him a go-to guy for Aaron Boone.

The club picked up his $3 million option, locking in a pitcher who stayed healthy and performed all year. Hill’s been a fixture, and honestly, you can see why they didn’t hesitate.

Hill’s Statistical Impact

Hill led the team with 70 appearances and logged 67 innings, finishing with a strong 3.09 ERA. He got ground ball outs at a 64.8 percent rate, which put him second among 147 qualified MLB relievers.

That’s huge at Yankee Stadium, where fly balls can become home runs in a hurry. Hill’s durability really stood out last season, especially with all the bullpen injuries.

His steady presence gave Boone a reliable option late in games, particularly against tough lefties. It’s hard not to appreciate that kind of stability.

Jonathan Loáisiga’s Departure Marks End of an Era

While keeping Hill made sense, the Yankees decided to decline Jonathan Loáisiga’s $5 million option. It’s the end of a run that once seemed full of promise.

Loáisiga had electric stuff and won over plenty of fans, but health issues kept getting in the way. He just couldn’t put together a stretch of sustained impact.

A Career Interrupted by Injuries

Since his 2018 debut, Loáisiga posted a 3.54 ERA over 193 games. But injuries defined his time in pinstripes just as much as his performances did.

• He missed big chunks of time with chronic elbow problems that eventually needed surgery.
• His 2025 season ended early thanks to both back and elbow issues.
• Last offseason, he tried to rehab but never really got back to his old self.

The Yankees just couldn’t count on him anymore. By moving on, they’ve opened up space for new arms and made it clear that endurance matters most in their bullpen plans.

A Shift in Bullpen Philosophy

This is a deliberate shift for the Yankees. They’ve learned that raw talent alone doesn’t cut it over a 162-game grind—teams need guys who can answer the bell night after night.

New York’s clearly committed to building a bullpen that puts reliability ahead of flash. Injury risk? They’re not interested.

Looking Ahead to the 2026 Season

As the Yankees keep reworking their bullpen, Hill’s veteran steadiness gives them something solid to build around. Expect them to chase relievers who can deliver consistent innings, limit baserunners, and handle high-leverage moments without breaking down.

Now that Loáisiga’s gone, there’s room to look at free agents or trades. Maybe they’ll find some versatile arms to complement Hill’s funky delivery. The next few months should show if the Yankees can finally balance experience with youth, power with finesse, and—hopefully—avoid the injury bug that’s bitten them so often before.

Final Thoughts

For a franchise that’s always chasing championships, every roster move feels huge. The Yankees decided to keep Tim Hill and let Jonathan Loáisiga go, and honestly, that says a lot.

Baseball veterans have always known that a reliable arm usually matters more than someone who just flashes potential. If the Yankees keep prioritizing durability, maybe the Bronx finally gets a bullpen that can do more than just hang on during the regular season.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Yankees begin bullpen makeover by moving on from Jonathan Loaisiga as…