Luis Gil, the 2024 AL Rookie of the Year, pitched 3 1/3 innings in his first rehab start after a lat strain.
BRIDGEWATER – Last season’s American League Rookie of the Year Luis Gil looked like the pitcher Rafael Flores has caught before.
The 27-year-old Yankees righty went 3 1/3 innings July 13 for Double-A Somerset in his first time back on the mound after suffering a right lat strain in spring training. That landed him on the 60-day injured list.
He allowed a run on two hits and a walk while striking out six. He threw his limit of 50 pitches, 36 for strikes, in Somerset’s 5-1 win over New Hampshire (Toronto Blue Jays) at TD Bank Ballpark.
The run was a fourth-inning homer to left by Charles McAdoo that tied the game 1-1 after Brendan Jones’ leadoff homer in the Patriots’ first.
After starting out by throwing five straight balls Gill adjusted, said Flores, the Patriots’ catcher who’s considered among the top prospects in the Yankees system.
“Once he made the adjustment to the mound he was lights out, his heater was electric, his slider was really good, and he likes to throw that changeup to righties which is an elite pitch. He’s going to be just fine,” said Flores. “He’s in good shape and ready to go.”
Flores said that Gill’s work ethic shouldn’t be overlooked. Gill went 16-8 with a 3.55 ERA last season.
“There’s a reason he’s a Major Leaguer,” said Flores.
Gill was the first player assigned to the Patriots after the team became the Yankees' Double-A affiliate prior to the 2021 season. He started the first game and recorded the first strikeout in Patriots Double-A history on May 4, 2021.
Flores also caught last season when Gill rehabbed in Somerset. Gill became the ninth Yankee to rehab with the Patriots this season.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone was quoted Sunday as saying Gill will have at least two more rehab starts. The Yankees are already without ace Gerrit Cole for the season recovering from Tommy John surgery, as is Clarke Schmidt, who underwent the same procedure last week.
This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: Luis Gil makes Yankees season debut in strong rehab start at Somerset
Category: General Sports
