Yankees’ Pitching Rotation Decision Puts Luis Gil’s Status in Question

It looked like the New York Yankees found a diamond in the rough in 2024 when right-handed pitcher Luis Gil went 15-7 with a 3.50 ERA over 29 starts in his first big-league campaign. The native Dominican, whom the Yankees acquired from the Minnesota Twins in 2018, won AL Rookie of the Year honors and looked like a star on the rise.

2025 was less kind to Gil, as he didn't pitch until August due to a lat strain. The 27-year-old went 4-1 with a 3.32 ERA over 11 starts to finish the season, but he allowed two runs over just 2.2 innings during a 10-1 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 1 of the AL Division Series.

Gil's spot as New York's best young pitcher was taken by right-hander Cam Schlittler, who went 4-3 with a 2.96 ERA over 14 starts after getting called up in July. The 25-year-old also logged a 1.26 ERA over 14.1 playoff innings, including an eight-inning shutout against the Boston Red Sox in Game 3 of the AL Wild Card Round. The Yankees won 4-0, clinching the series.

Now, Gil might not make the Opening Day roster, per The Athletic's Chris Kirschner.

"The Yankees will use a four-man rotation to begin the season, [manager] Aaron Boone said. Ryan Weathers will start the fourth game of the season," he reported. "They’re still deciding if Luis Gil will make the roster."

New York will open the season with southpaw Max Fried, Schlittler, right-hander Will Warren, and the left-handed Weathers in the rotation.