Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

Yankees Set Date for Luis Gil’s Live BP as Comeback Timeline Emerges

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Kristie Ackert | Last updated Jul 6, 2025 2:23 PM ET

Yankees right-hander Luis Gil is one step away from heading out on a rehab assignment. The 2024 Rookie of the Year is scheduled to throw a live batting practice and then “begin his rehab progression,” according to New York Yankees pitching coach Matt Blake.

Speaking with YES Network’s Meredith Marakovits, Blake revealed that Gil is scheduled to throw the live batting practice on Tuesday before officially beginning his rehab assignment. It’s the next checkpoint in a methodical recovery process after Gil landed on the IL in March with a lat strain.

That’s some rare good news for the Yankees’ pitching staff.

Clarke Schmidt and Gerrit Cole are out for the season, Will Warren has been thrown into the fire, and the club is now considering prospect Cam Schlittler for a start as early as next week.

Blake said that Gil’s bullpen work has been encouraging. He said the velocity has returned and Gil’s secondary pitches are there. Now, it’s about facing hitters and sharpening his command.

That’s been the common thread throughout Gil’s development. The 27-year-old flamethrower has always had electric stuff, but it’s the ability to consistently locate it that will determine how effective he can be in a major league role once he returns.

Gil put together a stellar rookie campaign in 2024, earning the coveted American League Rookie of the Year award after a breakout season with the Yankees. In 29 starts, he posted an impressive 15–7 record with a 3.50 ERA, racking up 171 strikeouts over 151⅔ innings, and held hitters to a stingy .189 batting average. His May dominance—sweeping both AL Rookie and Pitcher of the Month honors—peaked with a franchise-record 14 strikeouts in a single game for a Yankees rookie.. Gil became the first Yankees pitcher since Dave Righetti in 1981 to claim Rookie of the Year, narrowly edging Baltimore’s Colton Cowser in voting

Tuesday’s live BP will be the biggest test yet in that process. If all goes well, Gil may begin a formal rehab assignment by the weekend.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: