Luis Gil is on the brink of returning to the New York Yankees, with his season debut planned for Sunday against the Miami Marlins, provided he successfully completes his final rehab start on Tuesday with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Manager Aaron Boone shared this update during his recent Talkin’ Yanks interview. Gil, who was the reigning AL Rookie of the Year, is aiming to pitch around 75 pitches in his upcoming start as he recovers from a high-grade lat strain sustained during spring training.
With Gil’s return strategically timed within the rotation, it would allow fellow pitcher Max Fried an additional day of rest before his start against the Texas Rangers. The Yankees are in need of a healthy Gil, especially as they navigate the final months of the season and seek to enhance their rotation alongside Fried and Carlos Rodón.
However, the Yankees’ rotation has faced challenges, losing key players to injuries, including Clarke Schmidt to Tommy John surgery and Gerrit Cole, who was also unable to make it out of the spring. While Will Warren has been consistent, he is nearing his career-high in innings pitched, leading to concerns about his performance. Additionally, Marcus Stroman made a brief return from injury but struggled in his latest outing, and Ryan Yarbrough, who had recently strengthened the rotation, is currently dealing with an oblique strain.
Despite Gil’s anticipated return, these developments increase the likelihood that GM Brian Cashman might explore adding another starter before the trade deadline, especially as bullpen improvements remain a pressing need for a team that has been struggling for over six weeks.
With Gil’s expected comeback and the potential for additional acquisitions, there is hope for the Yankees to regain their competitive edge in the season’s final stretch. Fans can look forward to watching Gil’s performance as he aims to make a significant impact upon his return.