For much of the last week, Yankees manager Aaron Boone was hell-bent on keeping Luis Gil as the team was grappling with a pivotal decision on rotation. He even openly backed the rookie pitcher when questioned about moving experienced Nestor Cortes to the bullpen.
When he returned to the Yankees rotation on Friday against the Cubs, Luis Gil put to rest all doubts. His comeback from the injured list was a showcase of his elite form, as he stifled the Cubs in a dominant performance, throwing six scoreless innings and allowing just one hit in a 3-0 win at Wrigley Field on Friday.
Manager Aaron Boone praised Luis Gil’s outing, highlighting the pitcher’s command and poise on the mound. Boone noted that the rookie pitcher’s final inning might have been his most impressive, commending his ability to stay sharp and deliver with ease. “It was great to see him look as strong in his last inning as he did in his first,” Boone said, emphasizing how crucial Luis Gil’s performance was in setting the tone for the series opener.
“Excellent,” the Yankees manager continued. “I even thought that last inning might have been his best. Real easy, not having to reach for it. He seemed real sharp to me at the finish, which was encouraging. Overall, six shutout to get the series going, couldn’t have drawn it up better.”
No-rust Luis Gil silences Cubs and critics
Despite being sidelined for 15 days due to a lower back strain, Luis Gil showed no signs of rust. His fastball velocity, which averaged 95 mph—just below his season mark of 96.8 mph—rose as the game progressed, underscoring his durability. Luis Gil’s control was equally sharp, walking just two batters and striking out seven, including a blistering 98 mph heater in the second inning to fan one of the Cubs’ hitters.
Luis Gil expressed comfort and confidence on the mound, noting that his arm felt strong as the game unfolded. “Arm was feeling good and in a good rhythm,” he said postgame, acknowledging that his velocity and command improved with each inning.
“The more innings I pitched, I was feeling more comfortable and more loose on the mound,” he said through an interpreter. “Felt that towards the end, I had more [velocity] and felt stronger.”
With Clarke Schmidt also nearing a return, the Yankees are facing a logjam in their starting rotation. Boone has hinted that one starter could be shifted to the bullpen, a scenario in which Luis Gil’s power pitching could make him a standout closer candidate. Yet, his performance on Friday showcased his potential to be a valuable postseason starter if he can sustain this level of excellence.
Luis Gil acknowledged the competition for spots but is eager to help the Yankees push toward their playoff goals. “It’s a fight, so that opportunity will be great for us,” the pitcher said. “We just want to keep our team in the best position possible and keep fighting.”
Luis Gil, who has already eclipsed his previous career high in innings pitched, remains focused on contributing in whatever role he’s given. He
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