In Tampa, the Yankees are facing challenges with key players on the roster due to injuries. Pitcher Luis Gil will be out for a minimum of three months due to a strained lat muscle. General Manager Brian Cashman noted that Giancarlo Stanton, the team’s designated hitter, will consider elbow surgery only as a last option.
Infielder DJ LeMahieu shared with reporters that he is dealing with a grade 1 or 2 strain in his left calf. This setback will keep him off the field for several weeks, marking his fifth consecutive year hindered by injuries. Last Friday, Gil, who was named AL Rookie of the Year, had to cease a bullpen session owing to tension in his pitching shoulder. A subsequent MRI in New York showed a significant lat strain for the 26-year-old pitcher.
“As long as we manage it correctly, we hope to have him back by summer,” Cashman stated. “He will have at least six weeks without throwing since he’s a starter, which could extend if recovery takes longer. The medical team will re-evaluate him periodically. After this rest phase, he will progress through flat-ground throwing, bullpen sessions, and eventually rehab games, amounting to roughly a three-month timeline.”
During last season, Gil achieved a 15-7 record and a 3.50 ERA across 29 starts, tallying 171 strikeouts but also walking a league-leading 77 batters over 151 2/3 innings. Marcus Stroman is expected to take Gil’s spot in the starting rotation, which features pitchers such as Gerrit Cole, Max Fried, Carlos Rodón, and Clarke Schmidt.
Stanton mentioned on February 17, upon arriving at camp, that he refrained from batting practice for three to four weeks because of elbow discomfort. The Yankees reported that he has been in New York, receiving another set of platelet-rich plasma injections in both elbows. Cashman anticipates Stanton’s return to Tampa by the weekend.
“We’re eager for his comeback eventually, but it’s not expected soon,” noted Cashman. Although Stanton, a five-time All-Star, isn’t contemplating surgery yet, it remains a possibility. “Surgery would be a drastic measure,” Cashman explained. “Initially, it’s not recommended but could be considered if attempts to heal are unsuccessful.”
In 114 games last year, Stanton recorded a .233 batting average with 27 homers and 72 RBIs. His season was interrupted by a strained left hamstring from June 22 to July 29. He excelled in the postseason, hitting .273 with seven home runs and 16 RBIs.
Stanton, who initially signed a $325 million, 13-year deal with the Marlins in 2015, had a standout 2017 season with 59 home runs and 132 RBIs, earning the NL MVP title. The Yankees acquired him that December, and he delivered 38 home runs and 100 RBIs in his inaugural season with New York. However, due to a sequence of injuries including strains in various muscles and other injuries, he missed 266 out of 708 games over the following five seasons.
LeMahieu sustained an injury last Saturday, his first spring training game this year. “I haven’t received the exact MRI results yet,” Cashman commented. Last season, the 36-year-old LeMahieu was sidelined due to a right hip injury, delaying his season start until May 28 following a right foot fracture caused by a foul ball in spring training.
Injuries restricted LeMahieu, a three-time All-Star, and two-time batting champion, to 67 games last season where he recorded a career-low .204 with two home runs and 26 RBIs. He still has two years left on his $90 million, six-year contract.
