LOS ANGELES — After missing a chance to take the mound at Dodger Stadium during the World Series last October, Luis Gil did so in the ballpark’s bullpen on Friday.
The Yankees’ right-hander threw about 15 pitches in a bullpen session. It was Gil’s first time on a mound since suffering a lat injury in late February.
“It’s still gonna be a while,” Boone said before the Yankees’ series-opener against the Dodgers. “Today was technically what we call a touch and feel where you’re getting off the slope for the first time.
“The good news is he seems to be in a really good spot. He’s responded to this whole rehab process really well.”
Gil, returning from Tommy John surgery last season, won a spot in the Yankees’ rotation when Gerrit Cole succumbed to elbow inflammation and went on to win the American League Rookie of the Year Award. In the process, the 26-year-old blew past his career-high for innings pitched, totaling 151.2 in the regular season before throwing eight more frames in the playoffs.
Gil finished the 2024 season with a 15-7 record, a 3.50 ERA, 77 walks, 171 strikeouts and 29 starts. He beat out Baltimore’s Colton Cowser and batterymate Austin Wells for the Rookie of the Year Award.
The Yankees have expected Gil’s rehab to take some time from the get-go. Brian Cashman initially hoped to have him back “sometime in the summer.” The flamethrower is still on track to make that happen.
LATEST ON STANTON AND COLE
With the Yankees out west since May 23, Giancarlo Stanton (tennis elbows) has been taking 5-7 live at-bats per day in Tampa. Boone said the designated hitter will continue to take live at-bats down there through the weekend.
“Then we’ll see what’s next,” Boone said.
That could mean a rehab assignment, or it could mean more time in Tampa for Stanton. Boone doesn’t expect the slugger to make his season debut with the Yankees next week though.
Cole, meanwhile, provided a bit of a non-update on his recovery from Tommy John surgery, which he underwent in the spring. He said the slow rehab is still going well and that he remains in the process of strengthening his UCL. The righty has also been working on his mobility.
Cole previously said that he hopes to start catch play in August.
CRUZ COULD RETURN SOON
Finally, Boone said that Fernando Cruz (shoulder inflammation) will throw live batting practice at Dodger Stadium on Saturday. If that goes well, he’ll be eligible to be activated early on during the Yankees’ upcoming homestand.
