Luis Gil Returns to Strengthen Yankees’ Bullpen as Clarke Schmidt Nears Comeback

The Yankees’ bullpen race intensified Sunday morning, with two contenders present in the clubhouse, though only one had been activated.

Luis Gil was promoted from Triple‑A Scranton/Wilkes‑Barre to provide the bullpen with length, while Clarke Schmidt was on hand after feeling strong in his first rehab outing.

Both could slot into an October bullpen with several openings. Assuming health, David Bednar, Paul Blackburn, Brent Headrick and Tim Hill are expected to feature on the playoff roster. Beyond that, the Yankees have a deep pool of 40‑man arms capable of forcing their way into consideration—including Gil, Schmidt, current relievers Michael Fulmer and Ryan Yarbrough, potential role‑switch candidates Elmer Rodríguez and Will Warren, the recently optioned Yerry De los Santos, and the injured Angel Chivilli and Ryan Weathers.

Gil will have the opportunity to prove he belongs on the roster and in high‑leverage innings, his first look at the majors since April.

Since his breakout season as a surprising front‑line starter, the 2024 AL Rookie of the Year has battled multiple injuries, the latest being right‑shoulder inflammation that sidelined him for roughly three months. He started a rehab assignment on Aug. 11 with Scranton/Wilkes‑Barre, appearing in three games, going as long as two innings and compiling 4⅓ scoreless frames, surrendering three hits, three walks and striking out six.

Walk issues have long plagued Gil, but the more pressing concern was a dip in velocity as his effectiveness waned. His four‑seam fastball regularly sat in the upper 90s during 2024, averaging 96.6 mph; in four April starts this season, when he posted a 6.05 ERA, the pitch averaged 95 mph.

During his stint with Scranton/Wilkes‑Barre as a reliever, Gil’s fastball averaged 96.1 mph.

Given the talent the club has witnessed, manager Boone pointed to Gil’s “very high ceiling.”

“He’s endured a lot over the past few years with various injuries and is working to rediscover that magic,” Boone said before wrapping up the series against the Red Sox in The Bronx. “I think he’s in a good place right now and hopefully he can come up here and be a factor for us.”

Schmidt is poised to be the next addition to the bullpen competition. Recovering from 2025 Tommy John surgery, the 30‑year‑old took a significant step Saturday, tossing 20 pitches (16 for strikes) for Double‑A Somerset in his return to professional action.

“It felt great,” Schmidt said after retiring four batters, fanning two while allowing a triple and a home run. “Obviously it’s been a long road, so getting back out there and competing in front of a crowd was a lot of fun and helped shake off the rust.”

Schmidt will continue his rehab program and expects to pitch again Wednesday. The Yankees have relied on Schmidt as a steady starter and are eager to see whether his stuff remains effective when shifted to shorter, high‑intensity bullpen appearances.

“You pitch a little differently in a relief role—you can let it eat a bit more,” Schmidt said, noting he likely won’t be used on back‑to‑back days. “You can step on the gas a little more.”

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