Luis Gil takes significant step in lengthy Yankees injury rehab

Luis Gil is still at least a month and likely more away from the real thing, but on Saturday morning, he climbed the mound at Yankee Stadium and faced hitters for the first time since spring training.

In a significant step in his rehab from a high-grade lat strain, Gil threw about 20 pitches of live batting practice and came out of it feeling encouraged about his road back to the Yankees rotation.

“I felt really good out there,” Gil said through an interpreter. “It’s been a process. You heal little by little. Felt good to get on the mound and face some hitters.”

Even in a best-case scenario, Gil may not make his season debut until early August given how methodical the Yankees have been with his buildup. But the reigning AL Rookie of the Year could deliver a big boost to the Yankees if he comes back healthy and looks like himself after the trade deadline.

“Fortunately, after the [injury], it’s been a slow buildup, but it’s gone well every step of the way,” manager Aaron Boone said. “So that’s been encouraging. Now we start to build. Build lives, pitch counts and then eventually getting into rehab games. Definitely another important box to check.”

Gil will likely throw at least a few more live batting practice sessions before going out on a rehab assignment to build his pitch count up.

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The Yankees typically like their rehabbing pitchers to get to 75-80 pitches before they take them back, though Boone left the door open for that to change depending on what their needs are by the time Gil is close to ready.

Luis Gil of the New York Yankees throws a pitch during the first inning during Game 4 of the 2024 World Series Jason Szenes / New York Post

On Saturday, with the Yankees’ “non-regulars” all in the starting lineup against the Orioles, Gil faced bullpen catcher Peter Serruto and information coordinator Ryan McLaughlin, both former players, and struck them out two times each.

Luis Gil has not pitched yet this season for the Yankees. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post

“I think the process has been very good,” Gil said. “But your mentality has to be very strong in order to go through it and keep a strong mindset through the long time off the field.

“But that has always been the focus, to go through it and get back as soon as possible.”