The New York Yankees are facing yet another challenge as they deal with the loss of one of their promising rookie right-handers, Luis Gil, who has been placed on the 15-day injured list due to a lower back strain. This injury comes at a critical time for the Yankees, who are striving to maintain their position in the AL East standings.
Gil's unfortunate incident happened during Tuesday's game against the Cleveland Guardians. The 26-year-old pitcher was forced to exit the game after just three innings, having allowed three runs on three hits and issuing six walks. He amassed a total of 78 pitches before calling for the trainer in the fourth inning after experiencing discomfort.
“I tried to work through it, but you don't want to force the issue and make it worse,” Gil said. “I saw the doctor here and told me to take it day-by-day.” Manager Aaron Boone confirmed that while Gil initially described the issue as tightness, further examination revealed a strain, necessitating the placement on the injured list.
This setback is significant for the Yankees, who already have three starting pitchers on the injured list. The team had hoped to bolster their rotation following ace Gerrit Cole’s return from his own injury issues earlier in the season, but now find themselves navigating a particularly injury-laden period. Gil had earned his spot in the rotation earlier this season after Cole went down with a nerve issue in his elbow during spring training, and even remained in the rotation upon Cole’s return in June.
Despite missing most of 2022 and 2023 recovering from Tommy John surgery, Gil returned strong this season, logging a career-high 124 2/3 innings, surpassing his previous mark of 108 2/3 innings set in 2021. This season, Gil has maintained a 3.39 ERA with 144 strikeouts over 24 starts, making his contributions integral to the Yankees’ efforts thus far.
“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,” Gil admitted. “But at the same time, you have to take it day by day and see how I feel tomorrow.”
With Gil sidelined, the Yankees have made a series of roster adjustments. Warren has been called up to take Gil’s spot, and Poteet has begun a minor-league rehab assignment. Additionally, Schmidt is expected to start his minor-league rehab in the coming days, providing a potential boost to the beleaguered pitching staff.
The Yankees' injury woes have also affected their trade strategies. They 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 the Yankees work to compensate for their missing talent, this decision has added another layer of complexity to their season-long challenge of maintaining a competitive edge.
Entering Wednesday's play, the Yankees hold a 73-53 record, trailing the Baltimore Orioles by just half a game in the AL East. The team’s resilience will be tested as they push towards the postseason while managing a multitude of injuries. Gil's absence will undoubtedly be felt, as his performance has been a cornerstone of the Yankees’ rotation this season.
The Yankees must now look to their depth and resourcefulness as they strive to compensate for the loss of Gil and other injured players. Their focus will remain on sustaining their competitive momentum and navigating the remaining stretch of the season with the hope of securing a postseason berth.