Yankees’ Mark Leiter Jr. to IL with Stress Fracture in Leg; Luis Gil Set for Rehab Assignment
The New York Yankees’ bullpen took a hit as right-handed reliever Mark Leiter Jr. has been placed on the injured list with a stress fracture in his right leg. The injury, confirmed after recent evaluations, is expected to sideline him indefinitely as the team monitors his recovery. Leiter has been a dependable presence in the bullpen this season, and his absence will leave a noticeable gap in middle relief, where he’s been effective in high-leverage situations.
The Yankees will look to shuffle their pitching depth in the short term, but there’s a silver lining. Right-hander Luis Gil is nearing a return and is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment this week. Gil has been working his way back from elbow surgery and has shown encouraging progress in recent bullpen sessions. The team hopes he can bolster the rotation or contribute as a swingman once he’s fully ready.
As the Yankees continue to battle for positioning in the AL East, managing the health of their pitching staff remains a top priority. With Leiter sidelined and Gil on the comeback trail, the next few weeks could be critical in shaping the team’s pitching strategy moving into the second half of the season.
