Injuries are an inevitable part of baseball, but the Yankees didn’t expect to be dealing with so many setbacks even before the 2025 season began. With Gerrit Cole set to miss the entire year, Luis Gil out for at least three months, and Jonathan Loáisiga still recovering from a lingering elbow injury, New York is already scrambling to fill key roles.
However, there’s a small ray of hope. If all goes according to plan, both Gil and Loáisiga could return by May or early June, providing a much-needed boost to the rotation and bullpen. But given their recent injury struggles, the Yankees are staying cautious and understand that recovery timelines can change at any moment.
Luis Gil’s Injury Leaves a Major Void
Luis Gil was one of the most promising pitchers last year. The 26-year-old right-hander earned AL Rookie of the Year honors after a standout season, posting a 3.50 ERA across 151.2 innings. He struck out batters at an impressive 10.15 K/9 rate and stranded nearly 79% of runners, showcasing a dominant fastball that made him one of the Yankees’ most exciting young arms.
Luis Gil’
Gil seemed primed for a breakout second season—until a bullpen session resulted in a high-grade lat strain. These injuries are serious, and Gil won’t be throwing for several months, meaning his chance for an early-season impact is already off the table. The Yankees are hopeful he’ll return in 2025, but for now, they’ll have to make do without him.
On the bright side, once Gil is back, he should rejoin the rotation immediately. But that only matters if the rest of the rotation remains intact, and with injuries piling up, that’s far from guaranteed.
Jonathan Loáisiga: A Risky Gamble
There was a time when Jonathan Loáisiga was one of the best relievers in baseball. In 2021, he posted a stellar 2.17 ERA over 70.2 innings. However, injuries have derailed his availability ever since, with his innings dropping significantly—from 48 innings in 2022 to just 17.2 in 2023, and only four innings last season. Now, the Yankees are left wondering if Loáisiga can return to his former level of dominance.
The team took a calculated risk by bringing him back on a one-year, $5 million deal with a club option for 2026, hoping that a full recovery could restore some of his past success. Loáisiga last threw off a mound on March 4, and while he’s making progress, it’s been a slow recovery. The Yankees are cautiously optimistic that he could be ready by May, but setbacks have been a constant issue in his career. If he returns to full strength, he’d be a valuable asset to the bullpen, but the Yankees are not relying on that outcome.
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