NEW YORK -- Yankees right-hander Jonathan Loáisiga received his 2021 Latino MVP American League Reliever Award prior to Wednesday’s game against the Orioles at Yankee Stadium.
Loáisiga was presented with the award by Julio Pabon, the president of Latino Sports, and Maz Adams, the artist who painted the award. The Latino MVP Awards are the oldest and most prestigious awards given to Latino baseball players.
The first Nicaraguan player in Yankees history, the 27-year-old Loáisiga had an outstanding season for New York in 2021, posting a 9-4 record with five saves and a 2.17 ERA across 57 appearances. Loáisiga established career bests in ERA, wins, games, innings (70 2/3) and strikeouts (69).
In 2021, Loáisiga’s 22 scoreless relief outings of four-plus outs were second most in the Majors behind Garrett Whitlock of the Red Sox (24).
Loáisiga is off to a bumpy start in 2022, owning an 8.10 ERA through eight appearances, including surrendering a three-run homer to the Orioles’ Austin Hays in the eighth inning of New York's 12-8 win on Tuesday.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone said that pitching coach Matt Blake and some of the team’s analysts are helping Loáisiga to clean up an arm slot issue that they believe has reduced the effectiveness of his breaking ball.
“He’s taken some shots early in the season, but I’m not overly alarmed,” Boone said on Wednesday. “All of the equipment is there, the stuff is there. He’s just got to dial in his command a little bit better and fight through this stretch where he’s gotten popped a little bit. That’s all part of it.”