Yankees Lose Rising Star Luis Gil to Injury
In a season already plagued with injuries, the New York Yankees are facing another setback as rookie right-hander Luis Gil has been placed on the 15-day injured list due to a lower back strain. The injury occurred during Tuesday's game against the Cleveland Guardians, where Gil was pulled from the mound after just three innings of pitching.
Manager Aaron Boone divulged that Gil initially described the discomfort as tightness, but further medical evaluations confirmed the strain. "I tried to work through it, but you don't want to force the issue and make it worse," Gil explained. "I saw the doctor here, and he told me to take it day-by-day."
Gil called for the trainer's assistance in the fourth inning after throwing a pitch, which led to his premature exit. During his brief appearance, Gil, 26, conceded three runs on three hits and issued six walks, amassing a total of 78 pitches.
Rising to the Challenge
Despite the setback, Gil has had a commendable season. He boasts a 3.39 ERA with 144 strikeouts over 124 2/3 innings across 24 starts. His performance earned him a spot in the Yankees' rotation after ace Gerrit Cole was sidelined with a nerve issue in his elbow during spring training. Even upon Cole's return in June, Gil's contributions had secured his place in the rotation.
However, Gil's journey has not been without its hurdles. He missed most of the 2022 and 2023 seasons recovering from Tommy John surgery. This year, he logged a career-high 124 2/3 innings, surpassing his previous best of 108 2/3 innings set in 2021.
"I've never felt anything like that," Gil admitted. "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."
Rotation in Turmoil
The Yankees' rotation has been hit hard by injuries this season. With Gil's addition, the team now has three starting pitchers on the injured list. The Yankees 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, adding another layer of complexity to their roster management.
To fill the void left by Gil, the Yankees have called up Warren. Additionally, Poteet has commenced a minor-league rehab assignment, and Schmidt is expected to start his minor-league rehab in the coming days.
Pushing Forward
As of entering Wednesday's play, the Yankees hold a 73-53 record, trailing the Baltimore Orioles by just half a game in the AL East. Despite the challenges, the team remains focused on maintaining their competitive edge and pushing towards the postseason.
Gil's absence will undoubtedly be felt, as his contributions have been integral to the Yankees' performance this season. The team will need to rally and find ways to compensate for the loss of their promising rookie pitcher.
The Yankees are navigating through a period fraught with injuries and uncertainties, but their resilience will be critical in overcoming these obstacles and making a strong push in the final stretch of the season.