The New York Yankees face another challenging moment, as their promising rookie right-hander, Luis Gil, has been placed on the 15-day injured list due to a lower back strain. This unfortunate development unfolded during Tuesday's game against the Cleveland Guardians, where Gil was forced to exit after pitching just three innings.
Manager Aaron Boone shed light on the situation, revealing that the 26-year-old pitcher initially described the pain as mere tightness, but further examination confirmed a strain. The injury became worryingly evident when Gil called the trainer to the mound after a pitch in the fourth inning, prompting his early departure from the game.
Before his exit, Gil allowed three runs on three hits and issued six walks, culminating in a total of 78 pitches. Despite these setbacks, Gil has been a notable figure in the Yankees' rotation this season, boasting a 3.39 ERA with 144 strikeouts over 124 2/3 innings across 24 starts. This season's performance marks his career-high in innings pitched, surpassing his previous mark of 108 2/3 innings set in 2021.
Gil's journey to the Yankees' starting rotation began after ace Gerrit Cole was sidelined with a nerve issue in his elbow during spring training. Gil seized the opportunity and secured his spot in the rotation, even maintaining his role upon Cole’s return in June. As a result, his contribution has been integral to the Yankees this season, and his absence will undeniably be felt.
Reflecting on the injury, Gil shared his concerns: “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.” The gravity of the situation is evident in his words, as he continued, “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.”
The timing of Gil’s injury adds to an already injury-laden period for the Yankees. With three starting pitchers now on the injured list, the team is in a precarious situation. 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, leaving them few options to bolster their pitching staff.
To compensate for Gil's absence, the Yankees have called up Warren to take his roster spot. Additionally, Poteet has begun a minor-league rehab assignment, and Schmidt is expected to start his minor-league rehab in the coming days. These moves signify the Yankees' efforts to fill the void left by their injured pitchers and maintain their competitive edge in the AL East.
Despite these setbacks, the Yankees hold a 73-53 record entering Wednesday's play, placing them just half a game behind the Baltimore Orioles in the AL East standings. As the race for the postseason intensifies, the team will need to navigate through these injuries and find ways to compensate for Gil's absence on the mound.
The Yankees' resilience will be tested in these crucial weeks. Gil's contributions this season have been significant, and his absence will certainly be felt. The team must now rally together, maintain their focus, and continue to push towards their postseason aspirations. The path ahead may be fraught with challenges, but the Yankees’ history of perseverance will undoubtedly serve as their guiding force.
As they inch closer to the playoffs, every game counts, and the Yankees must leverage their depth and determination to overcome these adversities.