Yankees reveal Luis Gil MRI results (and likely timeline) in depressing injury update

Reigning Rookie of the Year Luis Gil reported to camp on time for the New York Yankees this spring, but unfortunately didn't get a chance to do much more than that.

Prior to making his debut in game action, Gil pulled himself out of a bullpen session as something grabbed in his right shoulder. While elbow issues can portend long-term doom, at least they typically tend to be resolved with surgery. Shoulder problems? Those can linger, sapping velocity and movement even long after they've been dealt with.

Gil underwent an MRI before the weekend began, as Marcus Stroman moved into the Yankees' rotation in his stead and Will Warren jumped one rung up the ladder.

On Monday, the Yankees revealed that Gil had suffered a high-grade lat strain, and would be shut down from throwing for at least six weeks (four of which will take place before the season was slated to begin). It's a brutal piece of news; Gil will have to eventually go through what equates to a full spring training before he'll be able to contribute. Mid-May is possible, but June feels likelier.

Still, any MRI that doesn't recommend season-ending surgery alongside its diagnosis registers as a "positive" update these days, and the Yankees have enough depth to weather Gil's absence in the meantime.

Yankees Projected Rotation After Luis Gil MRI Results (Lat Strain) Revealed

Currently, the Yankees plan to line up Gerrit Cole (who polished off a successful debut on Friday), Max Fried, Carlos Rodón, Clarke Schmidt, and Stroman. Schmidt's "cranky" back has kept him out of game action, but he's resumed throwing and should start soon. Warren, who's leveled up at camp, could factor into the rotation mix early as well. Don't expect the Yankees to look externally for rotation help, especially with José Quintana now off the board to Milwaukee. Even without Gil, offense should remain their first priority.

Gil missed time last year as well, sputtering out in June (6.45 ERA), righting the ship in July (3.33), and then suffering a back strain in August, struggling to regain his rhythm from that point forward.

Much like Giancarlo Stanton, the Yankees need Gil peaking at the right time, and will play things cautiously, not announcing an exact timeline yet as they further gauge the severity of the issue.