Luis Gil is set to return to the mound for the New York Yankees on Sunday, marking his first Major League appearance since winning the American League’s Rookie of the Year Award last season. Gil has not pitched in a big league game since he suffered a high-grade right lat strain during Spring Training on February 28, which forced him to stop throwing for an extended period.
Gil described his recovery process as lengthy but productive. “From the moment I got hurt, immediately I just wanted to be out there,” Gil said through an interpreter. “It’s been a long process, but I think we’ve done a really good job at following the plan in place to get back on the field and get healthy again.”
After resuming work against hitters in late June, Gil made four Minor League rehab starts. His most recent outing was with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre against Nashville, where he threw 75 pitches. Following that performance, team officials determined he was ready to rejoin the Major League roster.
Manager Aaron Boone expressed confidence in Gil’s readiness: “The rehab process for him has been smooth,” Boone said. “There haven’t been any setbacks or hiccups. I feel like every step of the way, he’s felt really good about it. We’ve had a good, solid buildup to where he’s almost to a full [pitch count] clip going into tomorrow. I think he’s very ready for it.”
Last year, Gil posted a 15-7 record with a 3.50 ERA over 29 starts and appeared twice in the postseason, including Game 4 of the World Series at Yankee Stadium.
As Gil returns, he joins a pitching rotation that now includes rookies Cam Schlittler and Will Warren alongside veterans Max Fried and Carlos Rodón. Speaking about his teammates’ performances this season, Gil said: “It’s amazing to see those guys,” Gil said. “They’re young guys with amazing talent. They’re doing an excellent job. They’re fighting for it. It’s great to be part of that.”
