While all eyes in the Yankees stadium were aimed at the bullpen issues stirred by Devin Williams’ early-season disappointment, a familiar face from the past is quietly—yet firmly—demanding attention.
Michael King. He is currently thriving with the San Diego Padres and is making a compelling case for a reunion. And the contrast could not be more glaring. As Devin Williams falters with injury issues and inconsistent activities in the field, King’s rise as an elite starter has only made the Yankees’ bullpen decisions look more questionable.
The team had huge faith in Williams because, once, he was considered among MLB’s elite closers. The star has a career record of 28-12 with 248.1 innings pitched. However, through his first nine appearances in 2025, he has been anything but dominant. Williams’ ERA is sitting at 9.00, and his K/9 is down from a 14.15 career average to just 9.00.
Almost every time he has taken the mound, it has been a frustrating moment for Yankee fans. The excuses for the downturn are long. The star is coming off a back injury that limited him to just 21 2/3 innings pitched last season.
But Michael King? While he was an elite bullpen specialist for the Yankees, he is now a dominant starting pitcher in the NL. Since being dealt in the blockbuster trade with the Padres last season, King has flourished into a full-fledged ace. For instance, through eight starts in 2025, the 29-year-old star boasts a razor-sharp 2.22 ERA, a 3.20 FIP with 48 strikeouts.
Safe to say, King is commanding attention, specifically, from his old team.
So, what is all the buzz about? It is not just the data—it is the timing and the tone. He is on the edge of free agency and did not hold back when asked about the possibility of a Yankees reunion. “Hopefully by the end of it, I can have all 30 teams calling me.” That is confidence, however, it is also a subtle nudge toward the Pinstripes. It was a clear message: If you need me back, you will have to fight for it.
Deesha Thosar of Fox Sports added fuel to the speculation, highlighting that the young star’s openness to a reunion does not mean it will come cheap. “If he keeps pitching like this, they can expect a bidding war,” Thosar mentioned.
Well, while Michael King’s reunion will still have to wait till the end of this season, the Bronx Bombers might not be able to afford to hold that long for their bullpen fixes.
Jonathan Loaisiga’s return could be the safety net the Yankees desperately need
As the team analyzes bullpen issues and the sting of losing Michael King, the quiet but promising return of Jonathan Loaisiga could be just in time.
While the current series brought victories, it also exposed gaps. In addition, relievers like Tim Hill, Fernando Cruz, and Luke Weaver, once elite, suddenly became mortal. It was not catastrophic, however, it was definitely a wake-up call.
Enter Jonathan Loaisiga.
Though he is still in rehab, his early returns have been impressive—and game-transforming. In four rehab assignments, Loaisiga struck out 50 percent of batters and flashed the stuff that once made the star a top-tier weapon. What is more inspiring is how he is being built up. That is gold in the current bullpen game, specifically, for the Yankees looking to decrease wear and tear on its top-tier relievers.
The largest and most vital leap in his game has come in pitch utilization. From 2022–2024, the star leaned largely on his sinker, and it limited his strikeout upside. Currently, he is mixing things up. In the MiLB outings, Jonathan Loaisiga has dropped the sinker utilization to 57.1 percent and leaned more on a changeup. Such a transformation in pitch sequencing is helping the star to rack up whiffs, a transformation that could pay off big against MLB-caliber lineups.
Such a new-look Loaisiga could be exactly what the team needs to bridge the gap left by King. If the star can stay healthy and manage his sharper pitch mix, Jonathan Loaisiga has the power to be more than just another bullpen arm. Instead, he could be the swingman who manages the entire relief corps. With the postseason in mind and depth at a premium, this is not just a rehab story—it is a redemption arc.
As free agency looms and concerns swirl around former and current stars, the Yankees identify themselves at a pivotal point. Michael King’s departure could have opened a gap. And it also lit a fire under the team to act smart and quickly. With Jonathan Loaisiga on the mend and highlighting serious upside, the Yankees need to balance old memories with an effective approach.
Stay locked in because this offseason could shape the upcoming period of the Pinstripes’ pitching core—one vital move at a time.
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