TAMPA — The New York Yankees are bracing for an early test of their depth as Luis Gil, the reigning American League Rookie of the Year and a crucial cog in the rotation, is scheduled to undergo an MRI on his throwing arm after cutting short a bullpen session on Friday.
Gil experienced tightness “somewhere higher up” in his right arm,” manager Aaron Boone said. The Yankees do not believe Gil hurt his surgically-repaired elbow, but Boone did not rule out a shoulder problem. The examination is slated for Saturday in Tampa. Boone indicated the Yankees expect a definitive diagnosis by Monday.
“When a pitcher stops his bullpen, that’s concerning,” Boone said. “But I also don’t want to get too far ahead. We’ll see what we have. Any time they pull themselves from a bullpen a couple pitches in that’s concerning.”
Gil, 26, underwent Tommy John surgery in 2022 and logged only four innings in the minors in 2023. He emerged as a force in 2024 after Gerrit Cole’s elbow injury opened a spot in the rotation. Gil posted a 1.99 ERA in his first 11 starts. He became more hittable as the season progressed, but still made 29 starts with a 3.50 ERA.
The Yankees have the arms to sustain Gil’s potential absence. Marcus Stroman entered camp as the sixth starter on the depth chart, but stressed his lack of interest in joining the bullpen. The Yankees may need him to start after all.
“You know you’re going to face some attrition somewhere,” Boone said. “Hopefully it’s not something too serious. But it feels like something that’s going to cost us some [innings]. So we’ll see what we have.”
(Top photo of Luis Gil: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images)
