The New York Yankees, like every team across the majors, entered Spring Training knowing that they would have some tough decisions to make. While the team’s roster is very similar to the one it fielded in 2025, the Yankees believe that they are capable of finding their way back to the World Series this upcoming season.
Of course, it’s going to be important that manager Aaron Boone constructs the best possible 26-man Opening Day roster once the season gets underway. One of the most difficult decisions he has to make involves the team’s starting rotation, and with Luis Gil struggling, it sounds like Boone has made a unique move at this spot.
Yankees to Begin 2026 Campaign with Four-Man Starting Rotation
It seemed like the Yankees would have an embarrassment of riches in their starting rotation over the offseason, but that train of thought has already been exposed. Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodon are set to begin the year on the injured list, and with Gil struggling, New York is trying to figure out what to do with him.
Gil appeared to be a key piece of New York’s future after he earned the American League Rookie of the Year Award in 2024, when he posted a 3.50 ERA over 29 starts. Thanks to injuries, though, Gil made just 11 starts last season, and while his numbers were solid when he was on the mound (3.32 ERA, 41 K), his inability to stay healthy hurt the Yanks.
Entering the 2026 campaign, New York had high hopes for Gil, but he’s struggled throughout Spring Training, as he’s posted a 4.66 ERA over 19.1 innings of work. For the time being, it looks like the Yankees are going to roll with a four-man starting rotation featuring Max Fried, Cam Schlittler, Will Warren, and Ryan Weathers to open the year before determining what to do with Gil.
“The Yankees will begin with a 4-man rotation: Fried, Schlittler, Warren and Weathers,” Jon Heyman of The New York Post reported in a post on X. “They are still discussing where to start Luis Gil, who struggled this spring before looking better in his last start.”
What Should the Yankees Do with Luis Gil?
GettyNEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 08: Pitcher Luis Gil #81 of the New York Yankees delivers a pitch against the Toronto Blue Jays during the first inning of a game at Yankee Stadium on September 8, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
Assuming Cole and Rodon are eventually able to return to the mound, that means the Yankees are eventually going to have to switch up their starting rotation. With Gil being a candidate to move to the bullpen, New York seems to be contemplating whether it should even bother using him as a starter if he’s eventually just going to get moved to the bullpen anyway.
To begin the year, the Yanks can get by with a four-man rotation, but at some point, they are going to have to employ a five-man rotation. It seems like New York is waiting to receive some more news on either Cole or Rodon’s injury situations before making a decision on Gil, but it looks like his status will be worth keeping tabs on over the next couple of weeks.
Yankees Make Surprising Decision Amid Luis Gil Struggles