The New York Yankees have been without two of their best pitchers all season, Gerrit Cole and Luis Gil. However, they revealed how they view Gil’s return.
Gill suffered a lat strain in spring training and has been on the injured list ever since. Cole, who underwent Tommy John surgery in the spring, will not return, but getting Gil back should be a huge boost to the starting rotation. Max Fried, Carlos Rodón and Ryan Yarbrough have stepped up, but manager Aaron Boone announced how the Yankees are looking at Gil’s return.
“It is still a ways off, but obviously what he can bring would definitely be a good shot in the arm like one of those trade deadline adds,” Boone told reporters. “Coming off a really special season last year, where he was really special for us.”
Gil was the American League Rookie of the Year last year. Going into the year, he, Fried and Cole were supposed to lead the rotation. However, injuries have left a heavy burden on Fried. The Yankees could attack the starting pitcher market at the trade deadline, but Boone’s comments indicate that they will look at Gil like their pitching acquisition.
Gil had a 3.50 ERA in 29 starts last season. He notched 171 strikeouts and was a key player in the Yankees’ run to the World Series. He still has hurdles to clear before making his return, but he should be able to give the Yankees some much-needed rotation help.
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Yankees starters have a 3.56 ERA this season. However, Will Warren and Claker Schmidt have been inconsistent. Replacing one of them with Gil could go a long way for the Yankees. Additionally, not worrying about trading for a pitcher would allow the Yankees to focus their assets on acquiring an infielder.
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