If the New York Yankees still have lingering doubts about adding another starting pitcher, they should consult Luis Gil.
Gil, the reigning AL Rookie of the Year, suffered a high-grade lat strain last week. He won’t throw for the foreseeable future and is likely out until June at the earliest.
There were already concerns about Gil and the Yankees’ overall rotation entering spring training. Clarke Schmidt missed several months last year with a lat strain, and Gerrit Cole didn’t pitch until June after an elbow injury. Carlos Rodón has his own extensive injury history, including a forearm problem that kept him out from March through July 2023.
The Yankees need depth, and former All-Star Kyle Gibson makes the most sense.
St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Kyle Gibson
Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
Yankees fans should be familiar with Gibson, the longtime Minnesota Twins innings-eater who has bounced around the league in recent years. The No. 22 pick in 2009, Gibson owns a 112-108 record and 4.52 ERA across 12 seasons with five teams.
Gibson, who turns 38 in October, went 8-8 with a 4.24 ERA in 30 starts for the St. Louis Cardinals last year.
By no means is Gibson the most appealing name at first glance. However, his durability speaks for itself; Gibson has started at least 30 games in seven seasons, including a league-high 33 in 2023.
At his best, Gibson is a replacement-level pitcher who will hit the mound every fifth day and not complain about his role. That’s exactly what the Yankees need, especially after Marcus Stroman publicly declared he wouldn’t pitch out of the bullpen earlier in camp.
Stroman might get his wish in Gil’s absence. What happens, though, when (or if) Gil returns this summer?
There’s no risk in adding Gibson on a minor-league deal, assuming the veteran righty wants to pitch. However, Gibson hasn’t hinted at finally retiring despite remaining unsigned all offseason.
Imagine a world where the Yankees win their 28th championship in part because Kyle Gibson, of all people, made meaningful starts during the dog days of summer. That possibility alone should have the Yankees finding Gibson a spot in Tampa.
