The reigning American League Rookie of the Year winner needs an MRI.
Aaron Boone shared that news on Friday after Luis Gil cut his bullpen session short due to tightness near his right shoulder. He will undergo testing on Saturday.
While Boone did not want to get ahead of himself, he did tell reporters that it was “concerning” that Gil felt the need to stop throwing. The manager’s hope is that Gil isn’t dealing with a serious injury, but Boone also said it “feels like something that’s going to cost us some time.”
Gil won the Yankees’ fifth rotation spot last spring after Gerrit Cole went down with elbow inflammation. The right-hander, returning from Tommy John surgery, parlayed that opportunity into a Rookie of the Year win, beating out Baltimore’s Colton Cowser and batterymate Austin Wells.
In the process, Gil blew past his career-high for innings pitched, totaling 151.2 in the regular season before throwing eight more frames in the playoffs.
Gil finished the 2024 season with a 15-7 record, a 3.50 ERA, 77 walks, 171 strikeouts and 29 starts.
A sidelined Gil would create a rotation opening for Marcus Stroman, who has been the subject of trade rumors for months. Stroman entered spring training as the odd-man out of a five-man group that included Gil, Gerrit Cole, Max Fried, Carlos Rodón and Clarke Schmidt, and he’s been insistent that he won’t pitch out of the bullpen.
Other depth starters at the Yankees’ disposal include Carlos Carrasco, Will Warren and Allan Winans.
NO LONGER IN THE MIX
JT Brubaker was another depth rotation option for the Yankees, but he broke three ribs while unsuccessfully trying to avoid a comebacker last week. Naturally, Boone told reporters that the righty will miss some time.
Brubaker has had tough luck over the last few years, as he hasn’t pitched in the big leagues since 2022 thanks to a few injuries, including Tommy John surgery.
FRIED’S DEBUT
With prospect Cam Schlittler set to start Saturday and Stroman throwing on Sunday, Boone told reporters that Fried will make his spring debut on Monday against the Pirates.
Fried signed an eight-year, $218 million deal with the Yankees over the offseason, making him their biggest — and first — splash after losing Juan Soto to the Mets.
