The New York Yankees face yet another hurdle as they lose their promising rookie right-hander, Luis Gil, to a lower back strain. Gil has been placed on the 15-day injured list, marking a critical blow to the Yankees' rotation as they push towards the postseason.
During Tuesday's game against the Cleveland Guardians, Gil was pulled out after just three innings on the mound. Manager Aaron Boone later revealed that Gil had initially described his discomfort as tightness, but further examination confirmed the strain. The incident occurred in the fourth inning when the pitcher summoned the trainer to the mound, leading to his early exit.
"I tried to work through it, but you don't want to force the issue and make it worse," Gil explained after the game. "I saw the doctor here and he told me to take it day-by-day."
Gil, 26, allowed three runs on three hits and issued six walks during his abbreviated outing, throwing a total of 78 pitches. Despite this setback, his overall performance this season has been commendable. Gil boasts a 3.39 ERA with 144 strikeouts over 124 2/3 innings across 24 starts. This season marks a career-high for innings pitched, surpassing his previous record of 108 2/3 innings set in 2021.
His ascension into the Yankees' rotation came after ace Gerrit Cole was sidelined with a nerve issue in his elbow during spring training. Even when Cole returned to action in June, Gil maintained his spot in the rotation, highlighting his importance to the team. The Yankees will undoubtedly feel his absence as they now grapple with three starters on the injured list.
Adding to the team's woes, the Yankees had backed away from a potential trade deal for Jack Flaherty with the Detroit Tigers at the July 30 trade deadline due to concerns over his medicals. This decision has left the Yankees with a significant gap in their pitching lineup.
In response to Gil's injury, 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 movements within the team highlight the challenges the Yankees face as they seek to maintain their competitive edge in a tough AL East division.
Entering Wednesday's play, the Yankees held a 73-53 record, just half a game behind the Baltimore Orioles. Despite the injury setbacks, the team remains resolute in their pursuit of postseason success.
Gil's journey has been anything but smooth. He missed most of the 2022 and 2023 seasons recovering from Tommy John surgery, sidelining him during a critical period of his career. His return and subsequent performance this season have been nothing short of impressive, making his current injury all the more unfortunate for the team.
"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 candidly. "But at the same time, you have to take it day by day and see how I feel tomorrow."
The Yankees are undoubtedly navigating a turbulent period marked by injuries. With Gil's significant contributions this season, his absence will present a considerable challenge. The team will need to maintain their focus and find effective ways to compensate for this loss as they continue their drive towards the postseason.
As the Yankees work through these adversities, the resilience and depth of their roster will be tested. The coming weeks will be crucial as they seek to secure their position and make a strong playoff run.