Yankees' Gil out at least 6 weeks with high-grade lat strain
New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone announced right-hander Luis Gil was shut down for at least six weeks after being diagnosed with a high-grade lat strain.
Boone added that the Yankees won't have a firm timeline for Gil's potential return until later.
"I think they're still gathering information, but it's at least a six-week no-throw, we know that for sure," the manager said, per Bryan Hoch of MLB.com. "But he's still gotta be examined by (the Yankees' doctors) and then get the other opinions on everything there."
Gil cut a bullpen session short last week after feeling some tightness near his right shoulder. He was sent for an MRI on Saturday, which apparently revealed the lat injury.
The 26-year-old won AL Rookie of the Year last season in a narrow vote after going 15-7 with a 3.50 ERA, a 1.19 WHIP, and 171 strikeouts over 29 starts for the Yankees. Gil's award-winning campaign came after he missed all of 2023 while recovering from Tommy John surgery.
Gil's injury all but ensures that veteran right-hander Marcus Stroman will open the season in the rotation. The 33-year-old came into spring with his future in the Bronx cloudy after being the subject of trade rumors all winter. He seemed to fall out of favor with the club after not throwing a pitch during the Yankees' pennant run last October.
Stroman has struggled during the early stages of Grapefruit league, posting a 9.82 ERA with two homers allowed in 3 2/3 innings.