Luis Gil Showcases Upside but Command Woes Persist in Yankees’ 3-2 Loss

Luis Gil continued to flash the potential that made him the American League Rookie of the Year, but persistent command issues remained apparent as the New York Yankees fell 3-2 to the Chicago White Sox Sunday at Guaranteed Rate Field.

Gil allowed two runs over 5 1/3 innings, struck out seven and issued two walks — both on full counts and each on four pitches — in a performance manager Aaron Boone described as "crafty" but still a work in progress. The right-hander limited damage for the most part, but the walks and occasional difficulty finding the strike zone kept the Yankees’ margin for error small in a close road loss.

"Still finding it a little bit," Boone said after the game. "Kind of a crafty performance where he’s trying to find his delivery, trying to be in the zone more. So he’s adding and subtracting a little bit with the fastball. Made a lot of good pitches, though, and for the most part limited the traffic. Hopefully we can just start to build where the command and control is there with the stuff following."

Gil missed the first four months of the season with a lat strain and returned to the Yankees’ rotation in recent weeks. Since coming off the injured list, the right-hander has shown glimpses of the dominant stuff that made him a frontline starter, but his command has been uneven, leaving the club cautious and hopeful as it approaches the stretch run.

Against the White Sox, Gil mixed his fastball with offspeed offerings to generate whiffs and weak contact. He struck out seven over his outing, matching the potential that prompted high expectations after his Rookie of the Year campaign, and he generally avoided big innings. Yet the two walks — each on four-pitch counts — underscored lingering mechanical or rhythm issues, and Boone said Gil has been working on refining his delivery and locating his pitches more consistently.

The game remained tight after Gil departed early in the sixth inning, and the Yankees' offense was unable to produce enough support. New York managed two runs, but Chicago plated three and held on for the one-run victory. Boone credited Gil for limiting the White Sox’s chances when runners reached, but the team could not capitalize offensively to erase the margin.

Gil’s trajectory since returning from the injured list has made him one of the more intriguing variables for the Yankees down the stretch. With the team navigating the final months of the regular season, the effectiveness and health of its rotation carry added significance. For New York, a productive, consistent Gil would ease pressure on the bullpen and give the rotation a high-upside option; recurring control problems would complicate roster management and in-game strategy.

The right-hander’s repertoire remains impressive when he is in rhythm. Scouts and Yankees officials have praised Gil’s fastball velocity and the sinking action that produces ground balls, along with a sharp breaking pitch that can miss bats. On Sunday, he showed the ability to generate swings and misses and to get out of jams without allowing multiple runs, demonstrations of the quality the Yankees hope to harness as he rounds into full health and comfort.

But the bridge from flashes of dominance to sustained effectiveness often runs through consistent command, and Boone indicated that the team is treating Gil’s recent starts as part of a process. "He’s adding and subtracting a little bit with the fastball," Boone said, noting adjustments to delivery and approach that appear aimed at improving strike-to-strike consistency. The manager’s comments reflected a cautious optimism: the pitches are there, but they must be located more reliably for Gil to become the rotation anchor many projected after his rookie season.

Yankees players and coaches have faced similar recovery narratives in recent seasons, and the club’s handling of Gil suggests a careful balance between pushing for results and preserving long-term effectiveness. Coming off an extended absence, Gil will likely continue to work with pitching coaches on mechanics, repeatability and pitch sequencing while building innings and confidence in game situations.

As the schedule tightens and playoff implications sharpen, Gil’s performances will draw close scrutiny. A string of starts with better command would bolster New York’s rotation depth and postseason outlook; continued inconsistency could force the Yankees to rely more heavily on bullpen matches or alternative rotation plans. Either way, Gil’s progress figures to be a significant storyline for the team through September and into any postseason push.

Late in the game, Gil’s visible frustration after being lifted underscored the personal stakes. Teammates and staff have emphasized support and steady work over quick fixes, reflecting an organizational approach that prioritizes sustainable returns to form after injury. Boone’s remarks pointed toward incremental progress rather than dramatic overnight change: good pitch shapes and the ability to limit traffic in his starts, paired with ongoing efforts to tighten command.

The Yankees will monitor Gil’s next outings for signs that his control is stabilizing. For now, he remains both a source of optimism and a question mark for New York: a former Rookie of the Year whose high-ceiling stuff can tilt ballgames, provided he can convert flashes into consistent, strike-to-strike execution.