The 2025 season was a struggle for Luis Gil. But that’s all behind him.
The third-year New York Yankees pitcher opened up about his goals and why he is is looking forward to showing what he can do again in 2026.
Gil won the American League Rookie of the Year, and helping the Yankees reach the World Series in 2024. But he sustained a lat injury during spring training in 2025 that cost him four months.
Gil still finished 4-1 with a 3.32 ERA in 57 innings over 11 regular-season starts last year.
Luis Gil’s 2026 Goal: Break His Own Records
Gil was the first Yankees pitcher in more than four decades to win AL Rookie of the Year, and he won 15 games that year then helped the Yankees win their lone World Series game, Game 4 against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
So after a lost 2025 season, Gil is focused on reminding fans of why he was a fixture in the Yankees’ rotation in the first place.
“I would probably say, ‘Break my own records from 2024 and keep improving,’” Gil told Bryan Hoch of MLB.com through interpreter Marlon Abreu. “Whatever those numbers are, if I’m able to break those, I’ll be happy with those. … I think we’re trending in the right way, and I feel like we’re getting close.”
So far the Dominican-born right-hander has looked sharp in spring training, which is music to the Yankees’ ears. New York is set to start the season without ace Gerrit Cole and front-of-the-rotation starter Carlos Rodon, but Gil has allowed four runs — on three solo home runs — while striking out 15 in 11 1/3 innings over four starts in the Grapefruit League.
Yet, perhaps more importantly, Gil is inspired by his process and ability to throw strikes. He has walked only three batters while averaging 95.5 mph on his four-seam fastball, according to Hoch.
“What you’re looking for at this time of camp is, you want to sustain the velo,” Gil said. “I’m happy. I feel that I keep getting better, stronger and sharper. You’re seeing the results of all the hard work.”
The Yankees Will Need Luis Gil in 2026
All those fans calling for Luis Gil to be traded may want to rescind their hypothetical offers.
With Cole and Rodon on the shelf for at least the first month of the year, Gil is going to be an important starter for the Yankees this season. He’s one of four starters age 26 or younger — along with Will Warren, Cam Schlittler and Ryan Weathers — who will be asked to hold down the starting rotation until Cole and Rodon return.
When healthy, Gil has done just that since the Yankees first called him up in 2021. Despite walking almost five per nine innings, Gil is 20-9 with a 3.50 ERA in 47 major-league starts, while striking out more than one batter per inning.
At his best in 2024, Gil pitched to a 1.19 WHIP, despite leading the majors in walks allowed (77). His effective wildness caused him to miss bats, which has resulted in a 9.5 strikeout-per-nine innings rate, which he hopes to keep up in 2026.
“It’s like I always say, attacking the zone is so important for me,” Gil said. “So for me, it’s always the focus.
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