Loaisiga (elbow) did some flat-ground throwing at Yankee Stadium on Friday, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

It's his first time playing catch since he landed on the injured list with right elbow inflammation two weeks ago. Loaisiga will continue to ramp things up as long as he feels well and is tracking toward an early-May return.

Loaisiga (elbow) expects to resume throwing Thursday or Friday, Meredith Marakovits of YES Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

Thursday would be the two-week mark of Loaisiga landing on the injured list with right elbow inflammation, and it appears he's feeling better. The reliever will likely need to go out on a rehab assignment before rejoining the Yankees' bullpen.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone told reporters before Saturday's game against the Orioles that Loaisiga (elbow) won't resume throwing for a few weeks, Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports.

EDGE Analysis

Boone also told reporters that Loaisiga has swelling in his joint and received an injection, but there's no structural damage. The right-hander will likely need a rehab assignment once cleared to throw, and he probably won't be able to help the New York bullpen until the start of May at the earliest.

Loaisiga was placed on the 15-day injured list Saturday, retroactive to April 6, with right elbow inflammation.

EDGE Analysis

The 28-year-old presumably picked up the injury during his last appearance Wednesday versus Philadelphia, when he allowed a run on two hits over 1.2 innings. The severity of the injury isn't known, but the fact it's an elbow issue makes it seem unlikely Loaisiga is ticketed for a minimum-length stay on the shelf.

Loaisiga tossed five scoreless innings in Grapefruit League play, allowing three hits and posting a 4:2 K:BB.

EDGE Analysis

Loaisiga also pitched in two games for Nicaragua in the World Baseball Classic, allowing three runs on three hits over two frames. The right-hander collected two saves and 10 holds for New York in 2022 and is expected to compete for setup duties ahead of closer Clay Holmes during the coming campaign.

Loaisiga and the Yankees avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year deal Friday.

EDGE Analysis

Loaisiga took a step back last season, with his ERA jumping from 2.17 to 4.13 while his strikeout rate fell from 24.4 percent to 18.2 percent. If he recaptures his 2021 form this season, he could be one of closer Clay Holmes' top deputies, but a repeat of last year's numbers may not earn him much high-leverage work.

Loaisiga gave up a hit in a scoreless ninth inning to record his second save of the season in the first game of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Rangers.

EDGE Analysis

The Yankees' closer picture remains cloudy heading into the postseason -- Scott Effross got the save Monday, while Lou Trivino picked up the team's last save before that Sept. 27. Loaisiga has been pitching well enough to put himself in the late-inning mix, posting a 1.72 ERA and 1.09 WHIP over 15.2 innings since the beginning of September, but he's more likely to handle a setup role in the playoffs.

Loaisiga (2-3) earned the win over Boston on Friday, allowing two hits and striking out two batters over two scoreless innings.

EDGE Analysis

Loaisiga took over in the top of the eighth inning with the score tied 4-4 and quickly retired the side in order. After the Yankees scored the go-ahead run in the bottom of the frame, Loaisiga was allowed to return in the ninth to close things out. He surrendered a pair of one-out singles that put the tying run in scoring position but was able to finish off the job. That the Yankees stuck with the right-hander despite some tension indicates the unsettled nature of their closer role more than his effectiveness this season. Loaisiga has taken a step back with a 4.43 ERA and 1.32 WHIP overall in 2022, and he's given up five runs (three earned) over his past six innings.

Loaisiga struck out one batter over 1.1 perfect innings and earned a save over the Mets on Monday.

EDGE Analysis

Loaisiga needed just 12 pitches (nine strikes) to retire all four batters he faced in Monday's victory. It was his first save of the season and first opportunity since blowing a save against the White Sox on May 12. Loaisiga is now sporting a 5.76 ERA through 34 appearances on the year. He could be looking at some more action as the closer with Clay Holmes (back) and Scott Effross (shoulder) out; neither Aroldis Chapman nor Lou Trivino pitched in Monday's contest.

Loaisiga (2-3) was tagged with the loss against Seattle on Tuesday, allowing an unearned run on two hits and a walk while recording one out in the 13th inning.

EDGE Analysis

The teams played to a scoreless standstill through 12 frames, and Loaisiga was brought in to handle the 13th. He allowed a leadoff single to Cal Raleigh and issued an intentional walk to load the bases with one out before Luis Torrens notched a walkoff single. Since returning from a shoulder injury July 14, Loaisiga has posted a 5.63 ERA and 1.88 WHIP over eight innings and hasn't notched a hold or a save over 11 appearances. He doesn't appear to be among manager Aaron Boone's preferred high-leverage options at the moment.