The New York Yankees' Injury Woes Continue
In a season already marred by injuries, the New York Yankees find themselves dealing with yet another setback. Promising rookie right-hander Luis Gil has been placed on the 15-day injured list due to a lower back strain. This unfortunate incident occurred during Tuesday's game against the Cleveland Guardians, where Gil was pulled out after pitching just three innings.
Manager Aaron Boone disclosed that Gil initially described the issue as tightness, but further examination confirmed it was a strain. Gil's discomfort became evident when he called the trainer to the mound following a pitch in the fourth inning, leading to his premature exit from the game.
“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. The 26-year-old pitcher allowed three runs on three hits and issued six walks, amassing a total of 78 pitches during his brief outing.
The setback is significant given Gil’s impressive season. With a 3.39 ERA and 144 strikeouts over 124 2/3 innings across 24 starts, Gil has become a crucial element of the Yankees' rotation, especially after ace Gerrit Cole went down with a nerve issue in his elbow during spring training. Gil’s performance ensured he remained in the rotation even after Cole’s return in June.
However, the Yankees' rotation woes don’t end here. Gil’s placement on the injured list marks the third starting pitcher sidelined by injuries. This fragile state of their pitching staff underscores why the team 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.
The Yankees' management has called up Warren to take Gil's roster spot as they look to find stability. Furthermore, Poteet has begun a minor-league rehab assignment, and Schmidt is also expected to start his minor-league rehab in the coming days. These moves are crucial for a team navigating a period thick with injury challenges.
Despite these setbacks, the Yankees are maintaining a competitive edge in the AL East, holding a 73-53 record entering Wednesday’s play. They find themselves just half a game behind the Baltimore Orioles. However, the loss of Gil—a pitcher who logged a career-high 124 2/3 innings this season, surpassing his previous best of 108 2/3 innings set in 2021—will undoubtedly be felt.
Gil’s career has been nothing short of a rollercoaster. Having missed most of 2022 and 2023 recovering from Tommy John surgery, his return this season had been a beacon of hope for both him and the Yankees. Reflecting on the recent injury, Gil shared, “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 Yankees are navigating through an injury-laden period, and Gil's contribution this season has been integral. His absence will be keenly felt. However, the team's resilience will be tested as they aim to maintain their focus and find ways to compensate for this loss as they push towards the postseason.