Jonathan Loaisiga opened some eyes when he hit 100 mph in the seventh inning of the Yankees’ 7-2 win over the Blue Jays on Saturday in The Bronx.
The right-hander struck out five over two innings, and he remains in play to make the postseason roster — especially after Domingo German was placed on administrative leave while MLB investigates an alleged domestic violence incident, and Dellin Betances was lost for the year with a partially torn Achilles tendon.
“[Loaisiga] threw the ball great,’’ manager Aaron Boone said. “When you see him throw the ball like he did today, you know he’s capable of that. He has a special arm.”
The 24-year-old has given up just one run in his past six innings, while striking out 10. He was sidelined for about three months with a right shoulder strain, but figures to get more looks before the end of the regular season.
“Sometimes he has his inconsistencies where he struggles a little bit,’’ Boone said. “But when he’s on point like he was [Saturday], he’s very tough to deal with. It was a very encouraging outing for him, and these are important outings down the stretch.”
The Yankees will have plenty of pitching decisions to make over the final week of the season.
Boone said CC Sabathia is scheduled to throw out of the bullpen on Tuesday in Tampa Bay, as the team — and Sabathia — try to determine whether that’s a role he could realistically handle in the playoffs.
And though they expected to use German in a variety of roles, they’ll now have to redo those plans.
“I would say anything and everything is on the table,’’ Boone said. “We’re starting to talk through some potential scenarios now. Those conversations will continue until we set our [ALDS] roster and then maybe even as the first round unfolds. I don’t think Domingo being out necessarily changes the thought process. It takes away a really good pitcher from us and how we deploy them but I don’t think it’ll change our plans overall.”
Boone remains optimistic Edwin Encarnacion will return from his strained oblique before the end of the regular season — perhaps even as soon as the series in Tampa Bay, which begins on Tuesday.
And the manager didn’t rule out getting Gary Sanchez (groin) back prior to the playoffs, with the final series in Texas a possibility.
Encarnacion hit in the batting cage on Saturday and Boone said he is “on track” to get back soon.Sanchez, according to Boone, also hit in the cage Saturday and did agility work on the field.
“He’s going in a good direction,’’ Boone said. “I would say I don’t think he’s on as fast a track as Edwin, but I’m feeling confident that certainly by the playoffs- and hopefully at some point maybe in that final series- he’s there.”
Aaron Judge was the DH for a second straight day on Saturday. He banged up his shoulder diving in an attempt to make a catch on Wednesday and sat out Thursday.
Boone said he liked the idea of not having Judge throw for a few days, but keeping him in the lineup.
His past five hits have been for extra bases after Saturday’s fourth-inning double.
“It’s not affecting him hitting at all,’’ Boone said. “We’re being proactive.” … Tyler Wade went 2-for-3 with a run and a stolen base. He’s had a hit and a run in each of his last three games. … Mike Ford tied a career-high with three hits.
The Yankees will honor CC Sabathia prior to Sunday’s game. Fans should arrive early and be in their seats by 12:30 p.m., the team said.