New York Yankees pitcher Luis Gil will miss the opening weeks of the regular season and possibly longer with a high-grade lat strain.
Manager Aaron Boone told reporters on Monday that Gil will be shut down from throwing for the next six weeks after an MRI revealed the injury. Gil doesn’t have a precise timeline to return to throwing or taking the mound in the regular season.
“They’re still gathering information,” Boone said. “It’s at least a six-week no-throw. We know that for sure. But he’s still gotta be examined by doc and then get the other opinions on everything there.”
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The Yankees are scheduled to start their season on March 27 at home against the Milwaukee Brewers. They first revealed Gil’s injury on Friday, when Boone told reporters that Gil was experiencing shoulder discomfort. He’s since undergone an MRI that revealed the nature of the injury.
Gil, 26, was the AL Rookie of the Year last year in his first full season with the Yankees. In 29 starts, he posted a 3.50 ERA and 1.193 WHIP with 171 strikeouts and 77 walks in 151.2 innings pitched. He pitched two postseason games with a 6.75 ERA in an ALCS start against the Cleveland Guardians and a World Series start against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
How will Yankees manage injury to Gil, others?
Gil’s injury potentially opens up a spot in the rotation for disgruntled veteran Marcus Stroman, who’s reportedly been on the trade market. The Yankees moved Stroman to the bullpen late in 2024 amid a season in which he posted a 4.31 ERA in 154.2 innings pitched. Stroman did not pitch in the postseason during New York’s run to the World Series.
Stroman, 33, declared in February that he would not pitch out of the bullpen.
“I’m a starter,” Stroman said. “I won’t pitch in the bullpen. I’m a starter.”
Now, after appearing to fall out of New York’s rotation plans, Stroman may have a chance to start early in the season if he doesn’t get dealt.
The Yankees are also dealing with injuries to designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton and DJ LeMahieu. Stanton will start the season on the injured list with tendinitis in both elbows. LeMahieu suffered a calf injury on Saturday and is scheduled to undergo an MRI on Tuesday.
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