The New York Yankees are set to get a significant boost in their starting rotation.
According to manager Aaron Boone, Luis Gil and Clarke Schmidt will both return off the injured list to face the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field this weekend.
Gil will take the mound on Friday in the team’s series opener, while Schmidt will start on Saturday.
The Yankees will have six healthy starters for the first time this season, forcing them to decide which arm will go to the bullpen. However, they are delaying the inevitable for the time being. Boone said that Nestor Cortes
Jr. will relieve Gil or Schmidt before returning to the starting rotation the following weekend against the Boston Red Sox.
Schmidt has been sidelined since late May with a right lat injury. He made his third and final rehab start for Double-A Somerset on Monday, pitching 4.2 innings on 70 pitches, surrendering two runs on three hits and striking out seven.
The 28-year-old was having a breakout season until being assigned to the IL on May 27. Prior to his injury, the righty had a 5-3 record with a 2.52 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, and 67 strikeouts in 60.2 innings (11 starts).
Gil, the hard-throwing youngster, was placed on the 15-day injured list on August 21 due to a lower back strain. Fortunately, his stint on the sidelines was brief, as he only made one rehab start.
The Yankees will use a six-man rotation for the time being. It remains to be seen if they want to persist with this strategy the rest of the way.
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