OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 26: Jonathan Loaisiga #43 of the New York Yankees looks on before the game against the Oakland Athletics at RingCentral Coliseum on August 26, 2021 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
If the New York Yankees are going to go on an October run — or if they even plan on covering all nine innings of the Wild Card Game with effective arms — they’re going to need Jonathan Loaisiga.
Johnny Lasagna, who established himself as a future closer this year with electric stuff and the requisite poise, unfortunately succumbed to a shoulder issue in early September, as he has many times throughout his career.