The New York Yankees Face Another Hurdle as Luis Gil Lands on Injured List
The New York Yankees have been dealt another blow in a season already marred by injuries, this time losing promising rookie right-hander Luis Gil to the 15-day injured list. Gil, who has been a beacon of hope in the Yankees' rotation, is sidelined with a lower back strain.
During Tuesday's game against the Cleveland Guardians, Gil exited early after just three innings. Manager Aaron Boone initially mentioned that Gil had reported tightness, but further examination revealed a more serious strain. The situation unfolded in the fourth inning when Gil called the trainer to the mound after a pitch, leading to his premature exit from the game.
“I tried to work through it, but you don't want to force the issue and make it worse. I saw the doctor here and he told me to take it day-by-day,” Gil said, expressing his frustration and concern over the injury.
In his brief outing, Gil allowed three runs on three hits and issued six walks, throwing a total of 78 pitches. Despite the subpar performance, Gil's season statistics have been impressive, featuring a 3.39 ERA with 144 strikeouts over 124 2/3 innings across 24 starts.
Gil's journey to the Yankees' rotation came under unusual circumstances. He earned his spot after ace Gerrit Cole was sidelined with a nerve issue in his elbow during spring training. Even after Cole's return in June, Gil retained his position, showcasing his potential and importance to the team. Unfortunately, with Gil's injury, the Yankees now have three starting pitchers on the injured list, compounding the team's challenges.
The Yankees had previously considered bolstering their rotation by pursuing a trade deal for Jack Flaherty with the Detroit Tigers at the July 30 trade deadline. However, the deal fell through due to concerns over Flaherty's medical history. This decision now looms large, as the Yankees scramble to find reliable arms to carry them through the season.
In response to Gil's injury, the Yankees have called up Warren to fill his roster spot. Additionally, Poteet has commenced a minor-league rehab assignment, and Schmidt is expected to begin his own rehab in the coming days. These moves are crucial as the team attempts to mitigate the impact of losing Gil, who has been integral to their success this season.
Despite their injury woes, the Yankees remain competitive, holding a 73-53 record entering Wednesday's play, just half a game behind the Baltimore Orioles in the tightly contested AL East. Gil's absence will undoubtedly be felt, especially given his recent achievements, including logging a career-high 124 2/3 innings this season, surpassing his previous mark of 108 2/3 innings set in 2021. His resilience is further highlighted by his comeback from Tommy John surgery, which sidelined him for most of 2022 and 2023.
“I've never felt anything like that. I'm a little worried because you're coming out of the game because something's not right. But at the same time, you have to take it day by day and see how I feel tomorrow,” Gil remarked, indicating his cautious optimism while facing an uncertain recovery timeline.
The Yankees are no strangers to navigating injury-ridden seasons, and this year is proving to be no different. Gil's contribution has been substantial, and the team will need to find ways to compensate for his loss as they aim for a postseason berth. Maintaining focus and resilience will be key as the Yankees continue their push towards the playoffs amidst challenging circumstances.