The New York Yankees face another setback as promising rookie right-hander Luis Gil has been placed on the 15-day injured list due to a lower back strain.
During Tuesday's game against the Cleveland Guardians, Gil was pulled out after pitching just three innings, having allowed three runs on three hits and issuing six walks over 78 pitches. Yankees manager Aaron Boone revealed that Gil had initially described the issue as tightness, but further examination confirmed the more serious 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 he 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 absence adds to the Yankees' growing list of injured starting pitchers. Currently, the team has three starters on the injured list, making this period particularly challenging as they strive for postseason success.
Gil, 26, has been a valuable addition to the Yankees' rotation this season. With a 3.39 ERA and 144 strikeouts over 124 2/3 innings across 24 starts, he earned his spot after ace Gerrit Cole succumbed to a nerve issue in his elbow during spring training. Despite Cole's return in June, Gil remained a key part of the rotation due to his consistent performance.
This season had already seen Gil logging a career-high 124 2/3 innings, surpassing his previous mark of 108 2/3 innings set in 2021. His progress is particularly noteworthy considering he missed most of 2022 and 2023 recovering from Tommy John surgery. His contribution has been integral, and his absence will undoubtedly be felt.
The Yankees, who enter Wednesday's play with a 73-53 record and half a game behind the Baltimore Orioles in the AL East, will need to navigate this injury-laden period with caution. The front office had backed away from a trade deal for Jack Flaherty with the Detroit Tigers at the July 30 trade deadline due to concerns over his medicals. As a result, internal solutions are the current route. The team has called up Warren to take Gil's roster spot and Poteet has begun a minor-league rehab assignment. Furthermore, Schmidt is expected to start his minor-league rehab in the coming days.
Manager Aaron Boone will need to rely on the depth and resilience of his roster to maintain their current form. The loss of Gil amplifies the importance of the Yankees' next-man-up mentality. The team must maintain their focus and find ways to compensate for the loss as they push towards the postseason.
As the Yankees deal with this unfortunate injury to one of their promising arms, fans will be hoping for a speedy recovery for Luis Gil and that the team can continue to compete at the highest level despite the setbacks. With critical games on the horizon, the Yankees' ability to adapt will be tested, but their determination to succeed is unwavering.