Yankees drop Luis Gil injury bomb that shakes up Opening Day rotation

Just two weeks into spring training, the injury bug has already bitten the New York Yankees' pitching staff. As if the Giancarlo Stanton injury/personal issues weren't already weighing on the organization and fans, now the strongest aspect of the roster has taken a hit.

Manager Aaron Boone told reporters in Tampa on Friday that reigning American League Rookie of the Year Luis Gil had been shut down after feeling discomfort in his pitching shoulder during a bullpen session. He is scheduled to undergo an MRI on Saturday.

This undoubtedly puts his Opening Day status in jeopardy and further throws the Yankees' rotation in flux. Marcus Stroman is looking more and more like he's going to go north with the team in late March.

Yankees Injury Update: Luis Gil suffers shoulder injury and is headed for MRI

Gil was one of the best stories from a 2024 Yankees season that ultimately ended in heartache with a World Series loss. He was one of the first guys cut from Major League spring training last year, only to be summoned back from minor league camp and make the Yankees' 2024 Opening Day roster after Gerrit Cole's injury. After that, he forged forward to win AL Rookie of the Year.

In 29 starts last season, Gil posted a 15-7 record with a 3.50 ERA. Across 151 2/3 innings, he surrendered 104 hits and 77 walks while striking out 171, holding opposing hitters to a .189/.297/.345 slash line.

Gil led AL pitchers (minimum 150 IP) in opponents' batting average and was second in hits per nine innings (6.17). He was fourth in the AL for K/9 IP (10.15), sixth in opponents' slugging and 10th in opponents' OPS (.643). He also led all AL rookies in wins and tied for the rookie lead in strikeouts.

This will be a huge loss for the Yankees if he has to miss the start of the 2025 season, but the good news is that Max Fried is now in the fold and Will Warren looks like a new man. Also, for as frustrating as Stroman's performance was during the second half of 2024, he's still a good pitcher who can give you quality innings, so the Yankees' luxury depth there can only help them in the early going. Hopefully he can perform well and rebuild his trade value to give the Yankees the best of both worlds.

But shoulder injuries are always a massive worry, and Yankees fans will be closely monitoring any updates on Gil in the coming days.

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