New York Yankees head coach Aaron Boone said Luis Gil ended his scheduled bullpen practice on Friday early due to discomfort near his pitching shoulder and is scheduled to undergo an MRI on Saturday.

"He felt tight and couldn't pitch at full strength," Boone said, adding that the issue "could keep him out for a while."

Hill, who was last season's American League Rookie of the Year, posted a 15-7 record and a 3.50 ERA in 29 starts, and held opponents to a league-best batting average of 0.189 (at least 150 innings pitched).

Hill threw a career-high 151.2 innings last year, and he made just four innings in the minor league at the end of the 2023 season — just after recovering from Tommy John's surgery, which also left him out for most of 2022. Boone said the problem was not related to Hill's elbow, but did not downplay its severity.

"It's worrying every time a pitcher walks out of the court after a few pitches in the barn," Boone said.

If Hill, 26, can't make it to the opener, it will answer questions about right-hand pitcher Marcus Stroman, who reported for spring training as the No. 6 starter, behind Hill, Gerrit Cole, Max Fried, Carlos Rodón and Clarke Schmidt.

Although the Yankees discussed trading Stroman in the offseason, they couldn't find a suitable option, in part because the veteran is on a $18 million annual salary this year and will automatically re-sign his contract for the same amount in 2026 if he completes 140 innings of pitching. Now it may be a last resort for the Yankees.

"You know there's going to be some attrition," Boone said, "and hopefully Hill's problems aren't serious, but it feels like it's going to keep him out for a while." We'll see how it goes. ”

The 33-year-old started the Yankees' spring training opener after serving as a rescue pitcher late last season. Last year, he went 10-9 in 30 appearances (29 starts) and had a 4.31 ERA. The 10-year major league veteran said in an interview at the start of spring training that he would not consider returning to the bullpen.

"I don't think I need to compete for a starting spot," Stroman said after his latest striking-down practice on Tuesday, "and the result doesn't matter because my goal is to shoot 200 rounds." This is the accumulation phase, and you have to do everything you can to prepare your body. These stats and matches don't matter. I'm going to be a pitcher who can make more than 30 starts. ”

Other starting pitcher options in spring training include right-hand pitcher Will Warren, who made a strong start to spring training, and non-40-man roster callee Carlos Carrasco.

In addition, Boone said that right-hand pitcher J.T. Brookbeck (J.T. Brookbrook) Brubaker was diagnosed with three broken ribs on Feb. 21 while trying to dodge a slugger ball. Brubaker has missed the last two major league seasons due to Tommy John surgery and an oblique injury.

"He's recovering well, but he's going to be out for a while," Boone said.