Luis Gil landed on the 15-day IL Wednesday , but the Yankees are optimistic the right-hander wont be out long. But his injury did raise the question about how he would be used down the stretch and into the playoffs, since Gil has already thrown 124 / innings, his most as a pro. Even with the Yankees hoping to get Clarke Schmidt back next month with the right-hander scheduled to make his first minor league rehab start Friday since being sidelined since late May with a right lat strain Aaron Boone indicated before in The Bronx that Gil would remain a starter when he returns, which Boone said he hoped would be as soon as Gil is eligible. Yankees pitcher Luis Gil throws a pitch during the second inning of his last outing on Aug. 20, 2024. Robert Sabo for NY Post There has been thought the Yankees might bump Gil into the George Hill Jersey bullpen to not only help the pen, but to prevent Gil from being overworked. That still hasnt been ruled out, but Boone said the team continues to look at Gil as a starter. Explore More When asked of Gils role when he returns, Boone said, Probably a starter. He also noted moving Gil to a different role isnt nece sarily as easy as some might think. The biggest question with Luis all year was not having a base of workload, Boone said of Gil, who was coming back from Tommy John surgery. Hes had a really strong year in the rotation and its not as simple as throwing him in the pen. Yankees pitcher Luis Gil is checked on by a trainer and is pulled from the game during the fourth inning of his last outing. Robert Sabo for NY Post A healthy Schmidt would also likely factor into the equation, as Boone said his role is still to be defined. I think everything is on the table, Boone said of the rotation down the stretch of the regular season. Schmidt is expected to throw around 45 pitches during his first rehab start and while Boone wouldnt guarantee hed be inserted immediately back in the rotation, it would be something of a surprise if he wasnt. Go beyond the box score with the Bombers Sign up for Inside the Yankees by Greg Joyce, exclusively on Sports+. Thank you By clicking above you agree to the and . Enjoy this Post Sports+ exclusive newsletter! Clarke is building up, Boone said. Before he went down he was one of, if not our best, starters the first few months of the season. We look at it as were getting a very good pitcher back in the mix. As Boone also noted, its premature to look too far ahead about how their staff might look in the playoffs at this point, but they have a lot invested in the rotation, including Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodon and Marcus Stroman, as well as Nestor Cortes, who started Wednesday and was at the center of trade talks prior to the deadline. Yankees pitcher Luis Gil reacts after giving Cleveland Indians Brayan Rocchios a home run during the fourth inning of his last outing. Robert Sabo for NY Post Gil and Schmidt have, at times, been as effective as any pitchers in the rotation. Schmidt, though, has pitched just 2 / innings in the playoffs and Gil has never played in the postseason. For now, their focus is on getting back on the mound, as the Yankees look to outlast the Orioles and win the AL East and having Schmidt and Gil will help that cause. But it likely wont be long before the Yankees have to figure out how best to put together their rotation. Nickeil Alexander-Walker Jersey