As Luis Gil worked his way through the Nationals’ lineup on Aug. 26, his velocity seemed to disappear.

A flame-thrower, Gil walked two batters and threw just two fastballs above 93 mph in the fourth inning that night, prompting a mound visit from Aaron Boone and a trainer . The sight briefly caused concern, as a spring training lat injury cost Gil significant time. The Yankees, meanwhile, did not acquire a dependable starter at the trade deadline .

Fortunately for the Yankees, Gil remained in the game and had no issues cracking 96 mph in the fifth inning of that 5-1 win. Afterward, Boone explained that an erratic Gil had simply “backed off” his velocity in an effort to find the strike zone.

“During that time in the game, I was using a lot of secondary pitches there,” said Gil, who

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