Injury Woes Continue for Yankees as Rookie Luis Gil Hits the IL
The New York Yankees find themselves grappling with yet another blow to their pitching rotation. Promising rookie right-hander Luis Gil has been placed on the 15-day injured list, following a lower back strain that cut short his performance in Tuesday's game against the Cleveland Guardians.
During the outing, Gil pitched just three innings before calling for the trainer in the fourth inning, subsequently leading to his early departure. The 26-year-old had allowed three runs on three hits and issued six walks over 78 pitches. Initially describing the discomfort as mere tightness, further medical evaluation confirmed a more significant concern—a strain.
“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 explained. “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's contributions this season have indeed been noteworthy. With a 3.39 ERA and 144 strikeouts over 124 2/3 innings across 24 starts, his presence has been a vital part of the Yankees' campaign. His impressive performance secured him a spot in the rotation following ace Gerrit Cole's spring training injury, and he continued to hold his place even after Cole’s return in June.
However, Gil's journey has not been without its challenges. He logged a career-high 124 2/3 innings this season, surpassing his previous best of 108 2/3 innings set in 2021, after missing most of 2022 and 2023 while recovering from Tommy John surgery. Unfortunately, his promising run has been halted yet again by this latest injury.
The timing couldn't be worse for the Yankees, who now have three starting pitchers on the injured list. This latest setback comes on the heels of the team retracting a trade deal for Jack Flaherty with the Detroit Tigers at the July 30 trade deadline due to concerns over his medical records.
In the wake of Gil's injury, the Yankees have called up Warren to fill the roster spot. In more positive news, Poteet has started his minor-league rehab assignment, and Schmidt is expected to follow suit in the coming days. Despite these adjustments, the Yankees face a daunting task as they strive to keep pace in the highly competitive AL East.
Currently standing at a 73-53 record, the Yankees are only half a game behind the Baltimore Orioles. The team is navigating an injury-laden period and must find ways to maintain their momentum. Gil's absence will undoubtedly be felt, but the roster must step up to compensate for his loss as they push towards the postseason.
The Yankees' resilience will be put to the test as they confront these adversities. Manager Aaron Boone and the coaching staff have a considerable challenge ahead, ensuring that the team remains focused and competitive despite the hurdles they face. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if the Yankees can rise above these obstacles and make a strong postseason run.