Gil to have MRI for shoulder discomfort, dealing Yanks early rotation question
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TAMPA, Fla. -- Luis Gil cut short a scheduled bullpen session on Friday due to discomfort near his pitching shoulder, and the right-hander is scheduled to undergo an MRI examination on Saturday, Yankees manager Aaron Boone said.
¡°He just felt tight and wasn¡¯t able to really let it go,¡± said Boone, who added that the issue ¡°feels like something that¡¯s going to cost us some time.¡±
The reigning American League Rookie of the Year, Gil posted a 15-7 record and a 3.50 ERA in 29 starts last season, holding opponents to an AL-best .189 batting average (min. 150 innings).
Gil tossed a career-high 151 2/3 innings last year after pitching just four innings in the Minors at the end of the 2023 season, when he returned from Tommy John surgery that also cost him most of the ¡¯22 season. Boone said the current issue is not related to Gil¡¯s elbow, but did not downplay its significance.
¡°Any time they pull themselves from a bullpen a couple of pitches in, that¡¯s concerning,¡± Boone said.
If the 26-year-old Gil is not ready for Opening Day, it would answer an ongoing question regarding right-hander Marcus Stroman, who reported to camp as the sixth starter behind Gil, Gerrit Cole, Max Fried, Carlos Rod¨®n and Clarke Schmidt.
Though the Yankees are believed to have discussed Stroman in trade talks over the offseason, they were not able to find a match, in part because the veteran is owed $18 million this year and has a vesting option for the same amount in 2026 if he completes 140 innings.
That may now prove to be a valuable insurance policy for the Bombers.
¡°You know you¡¯re going to face some attrition somewhere,¡± Boone said. ¡°Hopefully it¡¯s not something too serious [with Gil], but it also feels like something that¡¯s going to cost us some time there. We¡¯ll see what we have.¡±
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Stroman, 33, started the Yankees¡¯ spring opener after ending last season as a reliever. He was 10-9 with a 4.31 ERA in 30 games (29 starts) last year, and the 10-year big league veteran has said he will not consider pitching out of the bullpen.
¡°I don¡¯t think I¡¯m competing at all,¡± Stroman said after his most recent live batting practice session on Tuesday. ¡°Results don¡¯t matter, because I¡¯m trying to throw 200 innings. This is a building point and you¡¯ve got to do everything in your ability to get your body ready during this period. These numbers and these games don¡¯t matter. I¡¯m going to be someone who goes out there and hopefully can give you 30-plus starts.¡±
Other starting pitching options in camp include right-hander Will Warren, who has looked sharp early in the spring, and non-roster invitee Carlos Carrasco.
Additionally, Boone said right-hander J.T. Brubaker was diagnosed with three fractured ribs after attempting to evade a Feb. 21 comebacker. Brubaker has missed the last two Major League seasons due to recovery from Tommy John surgery and an oblique injury.
¡°He¡¯s actually doing pretty well, but it¡¯s going to cost him some time too,¡± Boone said.