Yankees place Loaisiga on IL with elbow inflammation

The New York Yankees lost another pitcher to injury Saturday, placing reliever Jonathan Loaisiga on the 15-day injured list with right elbow inflammation, the team announced.

It's unclear when Loaisiga suffered the elbow injury, and the Yankees didn't provide an immediate timeline for his potential return. The 28-year-old pitched in three games this season, allowing one earned run while striking out one in his last outing Wednesday.

New York was again counting on Loaisiga as a key late-inning reliever ahead of closer Clay Holmes. The Nicaragua native posted a 4.13 ERA in 50 regular-season appearances last season and also missed some time because of a shoulder issue.

Injuries are once again becoming a storyline for the Yankees, particularly on the pitching side. Loaisiga is the eighth Yankee pitcher to land on the IL already this year, joining starters Frankie Montas, Carlos Rodon, and Luis Severino, among others.

New York also placed third baseman Josh Donaldson on the 10-day IL Saturday with a right hamstring strain. Donaldson, who suffered the injury Wednesday, had been expected to land on the IL at some point this weekend. Manager Aaron Boone said Friday that the team would "probably err on the side of caution" by placing the 37-year-old on the IL this early in the season, according to ESPN's Marly Rivera.

The former AL MVP was scuffling at the plate to start his 2023 campaign, going 2-for-16 with six strikeouts over his first five games.

New York recalled right-hander Jhony Brito from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to replace Loaisiga on the active roster. Brito will start Saturday's contest in Baltimore. The team also selected outfielder Willie Calhoun from the RailRiders and opened his 40-man roster spot by moving reliever Tommy Kahnle to the 60-day IL.