The New York Yankees plan to start the season with a four-man rotation, sidelining Luis Gil despite his recent dominant performance against the Orioles. Manager Aaron Boone attributed the decision to four off-days in the first 13 days. Gil will stay in Tampa for live batting practice while options are considered.
In Tampa, Florida, Yankees manager Aaron Boone announced that the team is likely to open the season with a four-man rotation, featuring Max Fried for Wednesday's opener against the Giants, followed by Cam Schlittler, Will Warren, and Ryan Weathers. This approach is possible due to scheduled off-days on March 26, March 29, April 2, and April 6, delaying the need for a fifth starter until April 11 against the Rays at Tropicana Field. Luis Gil, who impressed with five scoreless, one-hit innings and seven strikeouts against the Orioles on Friday, did not secure a rotation spot for now. Pitching coach Matt Blake noted Gil's frustration but understanding of the schedule. Blake said, “He’d like to be a starter with us, so it’s frustrating. But at the same time, he understands the position we’re in with the way the schedule lines up for the first two weeks. Now it’s a matter of making sure we do right by him and keep him in rhythm, and also find the best balance for the bullpen and our starting group.” Gil will throw live batting practice on Wednesday. The Yankees are weighing optioning him to the Minors or using him in a piggyback role. Blake praised Gil's rebound, stating, “We feel good about the adjustment he made going into the last outing. He got the quality of the fastball back -- the velo up, the miss. All of those things are important to see. Now it’s just a matter of what that looks like the first couple of weeks of the season.” Gil ended spring training with a 4.66 ERA over 19 1/3 innings, following a poor outing on March 15 against the Tigers where he allowed seven runs and nine hits in three innings. Ryan Weathers, despite an 11.68 ERA in 12 1/3 innings, impressed with his stuff. Bullpen decisions remain pending, with locks including David Bednar, Camilo Doval, Fernando Cruz, Tim Hill, Paul Blackburn, and Ryan Yarbrough. Spots for Osvaldo Bido, Jake Bird, Brent Headrick, and Cade Winquest depend on Gil's status.