The New York Yankees face another setback as they lose one of their promising rookie right-handers, Luis Gil, to the 15-day injured list due to a lower back strain. This unfortunate incident occurred during Tuesday's game against the Cleveland Guardians, where Gil was pulled out after pitching just three laborious innings.
Manager Aaron Boone revealed that Gil had initially described the issue as tightness, but further examination post-game on Tuesday and Wednesday confirmed the strain. The pitcher’s discomfort became evident when he called the trainer to the mound after a pitch in the fourth inning, leading to his early exit.
During his brief stint in the game, Gil, 26, allowed three runs on three hits and issued six walks, amassing a total of 78 pitches. Despite the rough outing, Gil has been a steady asset for the Yankees this season, boasting a 3.39 ERA with 144 strikeouts over 124 2/3 innings across 24 starts. This performance earned him a spot in the rotation after ace Gerrit Cole went down with a nerve issue in his elbow during spring training. Gil's consistent play even allowed him to remain in the rotation upon Cole’s return in June.
“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 told me to take it day-by-day,” Gil stated. He added, "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.”
This ailment adds to the Yankees' growing list of injured starting pitchers. They now have three starters on the injured list, further complicating their rotation as they strive to keep pace in the highly competitive AL East. The Yankees have backed away from previous trade opportunities, including a noteworthy deal for Jack Flaherty with the Detroit Tigers at the July 30 trade deadline due to concerns over his medicals.
In an effort to patch up the rotation, the Yankees have called up Warren, who has made three MLB starts this year, to take Gil's roster spot. Meanwhile, Poteet has begun a minor-league rehab assignment, and Schmidt is expected to start his minor-league rehab in the coming days.
Despite these injuries, the Yankees remain competitive, entering Wednesday's play with a 73-53 record, a mere half-game behind the Baltimore Orioles in the AL East. Gil's current season performance is a bright spot amidst the challenges, as he has logged a career-high 124 2/3 innings, surpassing his previous mark of 108 2/3 innings set in 2021. This is particularly impressive considering he missed most of 2022 and 2023 recovering from Tommy John surgery.
The Yankees’ resilience will be tested as they navigate through this injury-laden period. Gil's contribution this season has been integral, and his absence will surely be felt. The team will need to maintain their focus and find ways to compensate for the loss as they push towards the postseason.