The New York Yankees are turning to Luis Gil for additional bullpen help, calling up the right-hander Sunday after he completed his rehab assignment.
Gil is returning to the Yankees in a role that differs from what the team originally expected when he began working his way back. He opened his rehab stint with the Hudson Valley Renegades earlier this month before shifting to relief work with the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders. Gil made five appearances for Scranton and finished with a 1.23 WHIP, putting himself in position to rejoin the Yankees as the regular season enters its final weeks.
The Yankees had viewed Gil as a potential option for the starting rotation, but the timing of his return and the team’s current bullpen needs have changed those plans. New York has also lost Fernando Cruz and Ryan Weathers to the injured list in the past week, creating an immediate need for another reliable arm in relief.
The Yankees made room for Gil by optioning Yerry De Los Santos to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. De Los Santos saw considerable action during a busy stretch for the pitching staff, appearing twice in Saturday’s doubleheader against the Boston Red Sox. He allowed one hit while striking out two across those appearances.
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to kyle@fingerlakes1.com.