On July 13, 2025, Luis Gil returned to game action for the first time since sustaining a right lat strain during spring training. Pitching for Double-A Somerset at TD Bank Ballpark in Bridgewater, New Jersey, Gil began his rehab assignment following his placement on the 60-day injured list earlier in the year.
In the outing, Gil threw 3.1 innings, two hits, one earned run, and one walk, while recording six strikeouts. He threw 50 pitches, 36 of them for strikes, and reached a top velocity of 97 MPH.
The one run allowed was a solo home run to left field by Charles McAdoo in the fourth inning, tying the game 1-1 after Brendan Jones had homered in the first to give Somerset the lead. The Somerset Patriots, the Yankees’ Double-A affiliate, went on to win 5-1 over the New Hampshire Fisher Cats, the Toronto Blue Jays’ affiliate.
- Luis Gil returned from a right lat strain with a dominant 3.1-inning rehab start, featuring six strikeouts and a 97 MPH fastball.
- Yankees manager Aaron Boone confirmed Gil will make at least two more rehab starts before potentially rejoining the MLB roster.
- With Gerrit Cole and Clarke Schmidt out for the season, Gil’s return could become a key factor in the Yankees’ push for a strong second half.
Rafael Flores Praises Gil’s Command and Adjustments on the Mound
Gil opened the game by throwing five consecutive balls, but adjusted his mechanics early in the outing. According to Rafael Flores, the Patriots’ catcher and a top prospect in the Yankees organization, “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.”
Flores added, “He’s in good shape and ready to go.” He also mentioned Gil’s work ethic and stated, “There’s a reason he’s a Major Leaguer.”
Gil previously pitched in Somerset during a 2021 rehab assignment, when he became the first player assigned to the team after it became a Yankees affiliate. He started the Patriots’ first Double-A game on May 4, 2021, and recorded the first strikeout in franchise history at that level.
Gil’s start on July 13 was his ninth rehab appearance with the Yankees in Somerset this season.
Boone Confirms Two More Rehab Starts Before Possible Return
Yankees manager Aaron Boone said on Sunday that Gil is expected to make at least two more rehab starts before being considered for a return to the major league roster.
Boone also addressed the status of Clarke Schmidt, who underwent Tommy John surgery the previous Friday. Boone said there were no issues with the procedure, though he had not yet spoken directly with Schmidt.
Gerrit Cole is also out for the season following Tommy John surgery. The Yankees have relied on Carlos Rodón, Max Fried, and rookie Will Warren, who started on July 14 in the final game before the All-Star break. Marcus Stroman and Ryan Yarbrough have also spent time on the injured list.
Despite these injuries, sportsbooks have maintained the Yankees as contenders in the betting market. According to FanDuel, New York holds +850 odds to win the World Series and –130 odds to win the AL East. Action Network lists the Yankees at +300 to win the AL Pennant, ahead of teams such as the Astros and Orioles.
Before his injury, Gil had appeared in betting markets for American League Rookie of the Year, including –120 odds at FanDuel. Those props are no longer active. As of now, there are no player-specific betting lines posted for Gil on Covers.
On July 13, the Yankees were favored at –131 on the moneyline against the Cubs, according to DraftKings. Action Network estimated the moneyline at –135, showing that people were still interested in betting even with the changes in the lineup.
Yankees Win Replay Challenge, Bellinger Extends Hitting Streak
In the same game on Sunday, the Yankees won a replay challenge in the top of the ninth inning when Jon Berti of the Cubs was ruled out attempting to steal third base. Oswald Peraza applied the tag after a throw from JT Brubaker, but third base umpire Paul Clemons initially called Berti safe.
After review, the call was overturned for the second out of the inning. Boone expressed irritation at having to challenge the play: “I feel like in those scenarios, especially if there’s uncertainty, they should [have to] challenge. Their guy takes off and is out by 10 feet. I understand it’s tough.”
Cody Bellinger doubled in the ninth inning, extending his career-best hitting streak to 17 games. It is his second streak of at least 15 games this season. No Yankee has recorded multiple hitting streaks of 15 or more games in a single season since Derek Jeter in 2012.
