The New York Yankees returned right-hander Luis Gil from his rehabilitation assignment on Thursday and reinstated him from the 15-day injured list.

Gil was placed on the IL on Aug. 21 due to a lower back strain. He is expected to start the opener of a three-game series against the host Chicago Cubs on Friday afternoon.

Gil, 26, is 12-6 with a 3.39 ERA through 24 starts this season. He has struck out 144 batters in 124 2/3 innings but also leads the majors with 66 walks.

The addition of Gil comes hours after the Yankees optioned right-hander Scott Effross to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Effross, 30, allowed a total of two runs on three hits in two innings across two relief appearances with the Yankees.