Yankees Rookie of the Year takes huge step toward July return
Yankees Rookie of the Year takes huge step toward July return originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
Luis Gil took a real step forward Saturday afternoon.
Before the Yankees hosted the Orioles in the Bronx, Gil threw live batting practice on the Yankee Stadium mound — his first time facing hitters since suffering a high-grade lat strain during spring training. He threw around 20 pitches and said afterward he felt encouraged by how his body responded.
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'I wasn't focused on velocity,' Gil told reporters.
The estimate was Gil might have touched 96 miles an hour.
That's not bad for a pitcher who hasn't been on a mound in a competitive setting in over three months.
Jun 4, 2024; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees starting pitcher Luis Gil (81) reacts during the sixth inning against the Minnesota Twins at Yankee Stadium.Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Gil, 27, has been on the injured list since early March, but the Yankees remain hopeful he can rejoin the club sometime next month. His live session on Saturday marks a meaningful milestone. The next step will likely be another live BP before a minor-league rehab assignment begins.
The Yankees would welcome his return.
Gil was a breakout star last season, going 15–7 with a 3.50 ERA and 171 strikeouts in 151.2 innings. He led all rookies in wins and was named American League Rookie of the Year. For most of 2024, he looked like a long-term rotation piece.
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That's what made his spring injury so frustrating. And that's what makes his return so important now.
The Yankees' rotation has held together, but adding a healthy Luis Gil to the mix would give the starting staff and the bullpen a boost. Ryan Yarbrough has filled in nicely in the fifth spot, but he was brought in to be a reliever.
For now, Gil isn't watching the radar gun. He's focused on how it feels. And on Saturday, for the first time in months, it felt like progress.
That's some of the best news the Yankees have had in this miserable week.
Related: Alex Rodriguez Says Aaron Judge Needs a Championship to be a Yankees Legend
Related: Yankees Manager Aaron Boone is Planning to Sit Struggling Infielder
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 21, 2025, where it first appeared.
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