NEW YORK -- The Yankees expect Luis Gil to return from his stint on the injured list as a starting pitcher, though they can also envision a scenario where the rookie right-hander is a force out of the bullpen leading into the postseason.

It is a positive sign that such possibilities are being discussed so soon after Gil exited Tuesday’s 9-5, 12-inning loss to the Guardians with a lower back strain, an injury for which he was placed on the 15-day IL prior to Wednesday’s game.

“It’s minor, just some lower back soreness,” manager Aaron Boone said. “I think he feels better even already today. The hope is that he’ll be able to stay pretty active through this stint and hopefully be back pitching right around [Sept. 5].

“Hopefully in the grand scheme of things, it serves as something that helps preserve him a little bit and saves some stuff for him down the stretch, too. We don’t expect it to be long.”

In a corresponding roster move, the Yankees recalled right-hander Will Warren from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Boone said that Warren will be available out of the bullpen on Wednesday; New York’s relievers soaked up 27 outs behind Gil, who exited after three-plus innings on Tuesday.

“We’ll get through the day and see where we’re at,” Boone said.

Gil’s command was erratic in Tuesday’s start against Cleveland, when he issued six walks, one shy of his season high.

In the fourth inning, Gil permitted a homer to Brayan Rocchio and a four-pitch walk to Steven Kwan before gesturing toward the dugout. After a brief consultation, Gil was replaced by left-hander Tim Hill.

“I’ve never felt anything like that,” Gil said after Tuesday’s game, through an interpreter. “You’re a little worried because you come out of the game because you’re feeling something that’s not right. But at the same time, I’ve just got to take it day by day.

“ … It was tightness in the lower back. I tried to work through it, but at some point you’ve just got to call the trainers because you don’t want to force the issue there and make it worse.”

One of the American League’s most impressive rookies this season, Gil has compiled a 12-6 record with a 3.39 ERA across 24 starts, striking out 144 batters while holding opponents to a .185 batting average.

Gil has tossed a career-high 124 2/3 innings after pitching just four Minor League innings last year following his recovery from Tommy John surgery, prompting some to believe he might pitch out of the bullpen down the stretch or in a postseason setting.

“I think he can be a weapon anywhere,” Boone said. “When Luis Gil is on his game, buckle up, whether that’s as a starter or in a shorter burst. He’s really only known starting, so we’ll just see.

“We’ll try and get him through these next couple of days. Hopefully, we'll keep him moving and active with bullpens and probably a live BP in there along the way. It’s looking like it’s not serious, so that’s the hope, that it continues here in the next couple of days.”