Yankees RHP Luis Gil Begins Rehab Assignment After Lat Injury

New York Yankees right-hander Luis Gil, last season's American League Rookie of the Year, has begun a rehab assignment with Double-A Somerset after missing the season due to a high-grade lat strain suffered in spring training. Gil, who went 15-7 with a 3.50 ERA and 171 strikeouts last year, expressed eagerness to return and contribute to a Yankees rotation depleted by injuries, including season-ending Tommy John surgeries to Gerrit Cole and Clarke Schmidt. Manager Aaron Boone outlined a conservative build-up for Gil, aiming to gradually increase his pitch count over several outings. The Yankees' pitching staff has also been challenged by injuries to Ryan Yarbrough, Marcus Stroman, and a recent blister sidelining Max Fried. Gil’s return is seen as a critical boost for the team as they seek stability in their rotation for the second half of the season. The Yankees’ reliance on bullpen depth and young starters has increased amid these setbacks, underscoring the significance of Gil’s recovery.