Luis Gil is getting closer.
The New York Yankees reigning American League Rookie of the Year could be just days away from starting a Minor League rehab assignment, according to MLB.com's Bryan Hoch.
The Yankees right-hander is scheduled to throw live batting practice Tuesday with Double-A Somerset. If that session goes well, Gil could begin his comeback outing as soon as Sunday.
It’s a key step in what’s been a slow and careful build since he was shut down this spring with a high-grade lat strain back in spring training. He was shut down from throwing initially at the end of February and Gil was placed on the 60-day injured list on March 24 and has been rehabbing ever since. He’s already thrown live BP once at Yankee Stadium and followed that with another session last week.
The Yankees have been treating Gil’s recovery like a potential trade deadline addition. They've done remarkably well with a rotation that is missing Gil and Gerrit Cole. Max Fried and Carlos Rodon have been outstanding and Clarke Schmidt has suddenly blossomed into a front-line starter. Will Warren is growing into another weapon and they have used Ryan Yarbrough, Carlos Carrasco and Marcus Stroman to hold down the fifth spot.
And if he can pick up where he left off before the injury, it could feel like one. The 26-year-old was 9–1 with a 2.03 ERA over 14 starts last season.
Gil is on schedule. His return in July could change the deadline calculus. The Yankees won’t rush it, but his return could do more for the pitching corps than most trades.
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