The New York Yankees have encountered another obstacle in their challenging season. Promising rookie right-hander Luis Gil has been placed on the 15-day injured list due to a lower back strain. This injury adds to the Yankees' growing list of sidelined starting pitchers.
The incident occurred during Tuesday's game against the Cleveland Guardians, a game in which Gil was pulled after pitching just three innings. What initially seemed like tightness turned out to be more serious upon further examination. Gil himself had to call the trainer to the mound after a pitch in the fourth inning, prompting an immediate exit.
“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,” said a visibly concerned Gil. “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.”
Tuesday’s outing was a rough one for Gil, who allowed three runs on three hits and issued six walks over 78 pitches. The 26-year-old has, however, been a vital part of the Yankees' rotation this season, maintaining a 3.39 ERA with 144 strikeouts over 124 2/3 innings across 24 starts. His contribution became even more significant after securing a spot in the rotation following ace Gerrit Cole’s injury during spring training. Even upon Cole’s return in June, Gil managed to remain in the rotation, demonstrating his reliability.
With Gil now on the injured list, the Yankees find themselves with three starting pitchers sidelined. This injury-prone period has put the team in a tough spot as they navigate the latter part of the season. Notably, the Yankees had backed away from a potential trade with the Detroit Tigers for Jack Flaherty at the July 30 trade deadline due to concerns over his medical reports. This decision now looks even more significant as they scramble to fill the gaps in their rotation.
In response to Gil's injury, the Yankees have called up Warren to take his roster spot. Additionally, Poteet has started a minor-league rehab assignment, and Schmidt is expected to begin his own rehab in the coming days. Despite these moves, the Yankees face a precarious situation as they pursue a postseason berth.
Entering Wednesday's play, the Yankees hold a 73-53 record, trailing the Baltimore Orioles by just half a game in the competitive AL East. Gil’s absence is a blow to a team that has already been navigating through a series of injury challenges. Notably, Gil missed most of 2022 and 2023 recovering from Tommy John surgery, making his significant innings load this season—a career-high 124 2/3—all the more impressive.
This string of injuries tests the Yankees' depth and resilience. As they push towards the postseason, the team must find ways to compensate for Gil's absence and maintain their focus. Whether the call-ups and rehab assignments will be enough to bolster their roster remains uncertain, but what is clear is that the Yankees' path forward is fraught with challenges.
For now, the Yankees and their fans can only hope that Gil's injury is not as severe as initially feared and that he can return to form quickly. His impact this season has been integral, and losing him for an extended period would be a significant setback. The immediate future will be telling as the Yankees aim to overcome this latest hurdle and continue their drive towards the postseason.