Yankees pitcher Luis Gil will be sidelined for at least three months because of his lat strain and designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton would have surgery on his elbows only as a last resort, according to general manager Brian Cashman.

With Gil out for a while, Marcus Stroman pencils in as the Yankees’ fifth starter following an offseason of trade rumors and an early-camp declaration that he won’t pitch out of the bullpen.

Gil, the reigning AL Rookie of the Year, went to New York for a second MRI that revealed a high-grade lat strain.

TAMPA — When Aaron Bone revealed earlier this week that Luis Gil had a high-grade lat strain that would come with at least a six-week shutdown, he mentioned that the Yankees were still getting additional opinions from doctors. That has happened and while Gil’s diagnosis did not get any worse, it did not get any better.

The New York Yankees are already in survival mode before the 2025 season officially begins. A string of devastating injuries has jeopardized their rotation depth and offensive power, and now, Gerrit Cole's elbow concerns seem hopeless.

I’m] prepared for the worst,” Cashman told The New York Post and Newsday. “We will see how it plays out. I’m always wired to think the worst and hope for the best.”

Gerrit Cole's elbow injury has New York Yankees GM Brian Cashman 'prepared for the worst,' just like the fan base, as they await results from imaging and second opinions