The New York Yankees have officially placed starting pitcher Luis Gil on the 60-day injured list due to a right lat strain, a significant setback for the team as they navigate early-season injuries. The announcement came on March 24, 2025, coinciding with the signing of left-hander Ryan Yarbrough, who has been added to the 40-man roster to bolster the team's pitching depth.
Gil’s injury is expected to sideline him for at least three months, preventing him from making his season debut until at least June. This injury is particularly concerning as it follows an already challenging recovery period for the 26-year-old pitcher, who missed the entirety of the 2023 season due to Tommy John surgery. Upon returning in the previous season, Gil showcased his talent, finishing with a record of 15 wins and 7 losses, a 3.50 ERA, and a league-high 77 walks across 151.2 innings pitched over 29 starts. Despite his struggles with control, he was honored as the American League Rookie of the Year, highlighting the potential baseball fans saw in him.
The Yankees made the decision to place Gil on the injured list to free up a roster spot for Yarbrough, who signed a one-year contract worth $2 million, with an additional $250,000 in performance-based incentives. Yarbrough, who has been in the league since 2018, brings a wealth of experience to the Yankees. Last season, he made 44 appearances between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays, recording an impressive ERA of 3.18 across 98.2 innings pitched.
Yarbrough's unique pitching style is viewed as an asset that could help the Yankees during this critical period. "I think it's just a weird look, something they're not used to seeing," Yarbrough said about his unconventional approach, which originates from a distinctive arm slot. His strategy hinges on keeping hitters off balance by emphasizing movement and using multiple pitch types effectively. Last season, he averaged an exit velocity of just 86 mph, placing him in the 97th percentile against MLB hitters, while his hard-hit rate of 29.4% positioned him in the top tier of pitchers.
The need for Yarbrough’s addition has grown urgent as the Yankees face significant pitching issues. Aside from Gil, ace Gerrit Cole is also out for the 2025 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery, compounding the team’s challenges on the mound. With this current situation, both Carlos Carrasco and Will Warren have emerged as crucial figures in the rotation.
As the Yankees navigate these injuries, the importance of Yarbrough’s experience cannot be understated. He is expected to primarily serve as a reliever, providing valuable innings in high-leverage situations—essential for a team experiencing a rotation struggle. The hope is that his ability to adapt quickly and effectively will stabilize the Yankees' pitching performance while Gil focuses on recovery.
This string of injuries speaks to the unpredictability of a long MLB season, and while the Yankees deal with this hurdle, the pressure to perform remains high. With Gil, who has already faced significant interruptions in his career, now sidelined again, it raises questions about the long-term implications for his performance trajectory.
Going forward, fans and management alike will be eagerly tracking Gil's recovery process, hoping for a swift return to form when he is cleared to pitch. In the meantime, Yarbrough's signing presents a glimmer of optimism as the Yankees look to maintain competitiveness in the American League. Each game and performance will be critical as the team strives to access new strategies and keep their postseason hopes alive amid these tumultuous circumstances.
