As the New York Yankees push towards the postseason, they have encountered yet another obstacle, losing one of their promising rookie right-handers, Luis Gil, to a 15-day injured list stint due to a lower back strain.
This setback unfolded during Tuesday's game against the Cleveland Guardians, where Gil was forced to leave after pitching just three innings. According to Yankees manager Aaron Boone, Gil initially described the issue as tightness. However, further examination confirmed that a strain was the culprit.
During the fourth inning, Gil's discomfort became evident when he called the trainer to the mound after a pitch, leading to his premature exit. Gil, who is 26 years old, had a challenging outing, conceding three runs on three hits, issuing six walks, and throwing a total of 78 pitches before departing the game.
Gil has been a pivotal contributor to the Yankees' rotation this season, boasting a 3.39 ERA with 144 strikeouts over 124 2/3 innings across 24 starts. His journey to a spot in the rotation began when ace Gerrit Cole suffered a nerve issue in his elbow during spring training. Gil's performances were strong enough to keep him in the rotation even after Cole's return in June.
A Season Plagued by Injuries
Unfortunately, Gil's injury adds to a growing list of setbacks for the Yankees, who now have three starting pitchers on the injured list. This latest blow complicates matters as the Yankees are in a tight race in the AL East. Entering Wednesday's play, the Yankees held a 73-53 record, trailing the Baltimore Orioles by just half a game.
Earlier in the season, the Yankees decided to back away from a trade deal for Jack Flaherty with the Detroit Tigers at the July 30 trade deadline due to concerns over his medicals. In the wake of Gil's injury, the Yankees have called up Warren to fill his roster spot. Poteet has also started a minor-league rehab assignment, and Schmidt is expected to begin his own rehab stint in the coming days.
Resilience Amidst Adversity
Despite the injury setbacks, the Yankees remain hopeful. Gil, who logged a career-high 124 2/3 innings this season, surpassing his previous mark of 108 2/3 innings set in 2021, has shown resilience. He missed most of 2022 and 2023 recovering from Tommy John surgery but made a significant impact this season, underlining his integral role in the team's success.
Reflecting on his injury, Gil said, “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.” He added, “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 will undoubtedly be missed. As the team aims to remain focused and resilient, they will need to find ways to compensate for the loss and continue their pursuit of a postseason berth.
In the ever-competitive landscape of Major League Baseball, the ability to adapt and overcome injuries is crucial. The Yankees' depth and determination will be tested in the coming weeks, but their journey this season serves as a testament to their unwavering resolve.