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Rehabs Highlight The Week In Somerset

September 1, 2024

Bridgewater, New Jersey – While the Yankees sit atop the American League East, the Patriots continue to push to make up a 2.5 game deficit in the Eastern League’s Northeast Division with just 13 games remaining on the schedule at the end of play on Sunday. Somerset concluded a banner

Bridgewater, New Jersey – While the Yankees sit atop the American League East, the Patriots continue to push to make up a 2.5 game deficit in the Eastern League’s Northeast Division with just 13 games remaining on the schedule at the end of play on Sunday. Somerset concluded a banner week at TD Bank Ballpark on Sunday that somewhat resembled the Bronx after playing host to five MLB rehabs during the homestand, including Sunday when starter Luis Gil toed the bump for the Patriots.

Gil, who started the first-ever game for Somerset in their Yankees affiliated tenure, had an up-and-down outing in his first start since 8/21 when he was placed on the IL with a lower back strain. The 26-year-old right-hander labored through 3.2 innings against Reading, allowing three earned runs on four hits to go along with two walks and a HBP while fanning six batters.

Reading forced Gil into a hard-working first frame after the Dominican-native fanned the first two batters of the game. A double, a walk and a two-run single and an RBI-triple forced Gil to uncork 37 pitches in the first and immediately put him into a 3-0 hole. Gil would toss 42 pitches over the final 2.2 innings of work, ending his day at the 80-pitch mark (52 strikes).

The Yankees were impressed by Gil during spring training, and they made him the first arm to be called up in April when a rotation slot was vacated. The Dominican-native has been one of the best hurlers in baseball in his first season returning off of 2022 Tommy John surgery – he has pitched to a 3.39 ERA and fanned 144 batters in 124.2 innings of work over 24 starts this season.

The Yankees officially activated first baseman Anthony Rizzo from the 60-day IL on Sunday after the three-time All-Star spent five games with the Patriots over the last week. The 35-year-old slugger, who had been out of action since 6/17 with a right forearm fracture, went 2-for-5 in 11 at-bats during his rehab stint, highlighted by a long, towering homer against Reading on Tuesday night.

“It’s cool to see the guys around here in the minor leagues,” said Rizzo. “You know they are working; you see them in spring training and their dream is to be where we’re at. We’re living that dream every day. I would much rather be in the big leagues, but you’ve got to enjoy where you are and I enjoyed it here in Somerset, I enjoyed it in Portland and just taking it day-by-day.”

Infielder Jon Berti served as the DH for Somerset in Sunday’s series finale with Reading, playing in his seventh rehab game for the club in his most recent stint after seeing rehab action with the team back in May. Berti has gone 6-for-25 with a homer, four RBI and two stolen bases in his comeback from a right-lat strain that has kept him on the shelf since June 17.

“Especially early on, it’s been very frustrating, obviously,” admitted Berti. “You have to change your mindset to being my job is to get healthy as soon as I can. It has been a long process, but I am feeling good and feeling good with the direction I am going in.”

Reliever Ian Hamilton made two appearances for Somerset and displayed flashes of dominance during his rehab stint. The 33-year-old right-hander, who was working his way back from a lat injury, was scratched from a scheduled third rehab appearance with reported back spasms.

Hamilton, who appeared to be close to returning prior to Friday, fanned six of the seven batters he had faced during his time with the Patriots.

“It feels kind of like a second spring training deal,” said Hamilton in regard to the large rehab contingent in Somerset. “It just feels like it brings a more competitive atmosphere when everybody is here like that. I hope we don’t do that all of the time, but when it’s like this it kind of gives us a second wind.”

Right-hander Cody Poteet, who has been out of game action since 6/18 with a right-triceps strain, has been stellar for the Patriots in three rehab starts for the club. The 30-year-old former Marlin tossed 3.2 innings of no-hit ball with six punch outs against Reading this past Friday night. Over his three appearances on his comeback thus far, Poteet has allowed just five hits and one earned run while fanning 11 batters over 9.2 frames.

Matt Kardos | SomersetPatriots.com Senior Writer

Matt Kardos has covered the Yankees minor league system for over a decade and will spend his 12th season on the beat covering the Patriots for SomersetPatriots.com. Throughout his career, Matt has contributed to MLB.com, YES Network and Pinstriped Prospects. When he’s not at the ballpark, Matt enjoys traveling with his wife Kimberly, watching Jets football and collecting sports cards.

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