The New York Yankees are holding their breath after AL Rookie of the Year Luis Gil cut short his bullpen session on Friday because of tightness in his right shoulder. Manager Aaron Boone said Gil will have an MRI Saturday to determine the severity of the injury and everyone is waiting to hear.
What Happened in Gil’s Bullpen Session?
Gil, who was a big part of the Yankees’ rotation plans, felt tightness in his arm and couldn’t continue his bullpen session after a few pitches.
“He just felt tight and couldn’t really let it go,” Boone said before the Yankees hosted the Blue Jays at Steinbrenner Field. “Hopefully it’s not too serious but also feels like it’s going to cost us some time.”
Boone was serious about the situation, noting when a pitcher stops his bullpen session that’s always a red flag.
“When a pitcher stops his bullpen, that’s bad,” Boone said. “But I don’t want to get too ahead of myself. We’ll see what we have.”
Why Gil’s Health Is So Big for the Yankees
He’s a Rotation Player Now
Gil went over his previous career high in innings last season, throwing 151 ²/₃ with a 3.50 ERA after Tommy John surgery. He was huge for the Yankees when Gerrit Cole was out early in the year. Gil’s performance gave the team confidence heading into 2025.
Gil had three live batting practices this spring without incident, but the sudden tightness is a concern given his heavy workload last season (far more than his previous totals).
Who Steps Up If Gil’s Out?
Gil’s injury opens the door for Marcus Stroman to get into the rotation. The Yankees had planned to trade Stroman this offseason but those plans fell through. Now with Gil out, Stroman could be a rotation guy.
Stroman said he would only pitch as a starter when he got to camp and it looks like he’s going to take advantage of the opportunity. He’s scheduled to start Sunday.
Other Depth Options
Behind the top 5 starters (Gerrit Cole, Max Fried, Carlos Rodón, Clarke Schmidt and now potentially Stroman) the Yankees’ depth has already taken two hits this spring:
- JT Brubaker: Broke his ribs trying to get out of the way of a comebacker in his first spring start and is out indefinitely.
- Chase Hampton: Had Tommy John surgery last week.
How Long Will Gil Be Out?
We won’t know the severity of the injury until Saturday’s MRI results but any prolonged absence is a big deal for the Yankees’ rotation plans. Gil was seen as a key to the team’s 2025 success.
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