Yankees rookie Luis Gil left Tuesday night’s game against the Cleveland Guardians in the fourth inning due to lower back tightness.
After throwing an 89 mph changeup to José Ramírez, Gil signaled for an athletic trainer. Following a short meeting on the mound with New York manager Aaron Boone, Gil was replaced by Tim Hill.
Before his final pitch, Gil had allowed a home run to Brayan Rocchio and walked Steven Kwan on four pitches.
The Yankees said Gil was checked by Dr. David Trofa, the team’s orthopedic doctor, and will be evaluated again on Wednesday. No imaging was planned.
After the Yankees’ 9-5 loss in 12 innings, Gil mentioned he started feeling discomfort in the third inning when he walked two batters and loaded the bases.
“I never felt anything like that,” he said through a translator. “You’re a little worried because you’re coming out of the game because you’re feeling something that’s not right.
But at the same time, we’ve just got to take it day by day and see how I feel tomorrow.”
Gil, who was pitching on seven days’ rest, gave up three runs and three hits in three-plus innings. He had trouble with his control, walking six batters and throwing first-pitch strikes to only six of 19 batters.
Gil has a record of 12-6 with a 3.39 ERA in 25 starts but has walked 66 batters. He has pitched 124 2/3 innings after missing most of the previous two seasons due to Tommy John surgery.
Gil debuted in August 2021 and had a record of 1-1 with a 3.38 ERA in six appearances. He made one start for the Yankees in 2022 before getting injured.
New York fell out of first place in the AL East, dropping half a game behind Baltimore.
