Yankees Considering Sending Promising Pitcher Luis Gil to Minors

The Yankees may option Luis Gil to Triple-A to start the 2026 season despite his early promise.

Mar. 22, 2026 at 10:04pm

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The New York Yankees are considering starting the 2026 MLB season with a 4-man rotation, leaving promising young pitcher Luis Gil out of the starting rotation. The team is deciding whether to option Gil to the minor leagues or use him in a bullpen role, as they look to manage their pitching staff early in the season.

Why it matters

Luis Gil was seen as a rising star in the Yankees' pitching rotation, so his potential demotion or bullpen role is a surprising development that could impact the team's long-term plans for the young pitcher.

The details

The Yankees' rotation to start the season will be Max Fried, Cam Schlittler, Will Warren, and Ryan Weathers. The team is discussing whether to option Gil to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre or use him in a "piggyback" relief role, where he would follow another starter. This decision is partly due to early season off-days that allow the Yankees to use a 4-man rotation initially.

  • The Yankees will begin the 2026 MLB season with a 4-man rotation.
  • Luis Gil will remain in Tampa and throw live batting practice on Wednesday as the team decides his role.

The players

Luis Gil

A promising young pitcher in the Yankees' organization who may start the 2026 season in the minor leagues or in a bullpen role.

Gerrit Cole

The Yankees' ace pitcher who is expected to return from injury at some point during the 2026 season.

Max Fried

One of the four pitchers who will be in the Yankees' starting rotation to begin the 2026 season.

Cam Schlittler

One of the four pitchers who will be in the Yankees' starting rotation to begin the 2026 season.

Will Warren

One of the four pitchers who will be in the Yankees' starting rotation to begin the 2026 season.

Ryan Weathers

One of the four pitchers who will be in the Yankees' starting rotation to begin the 2026 season.

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What they’re saying

“The Yankees will begin the season with a 4-man rotation. Max Fried, Cam Schlittler, Will Warren, Ryan Weathers — in that order. They are discussing what that means for Luis Gil (possibly stay back to continue starting).”

— Bryan Hoch, MLB.com reporter

“Luis Gil will remain behind in Tampa and throw live batting practice on Wednesday. The Yanks are considering optioning him to the Minors. If they don't, Matt Blake said they may use him in a piggyback role.”

— Bryan Hoch, MLB.com reporter

What’s next

The Yankees will need to decide by the start of the season whether to option Luis Gil to the minor leagues or keep him on the major league roster in a bullpen role.

The takeaway

The Yankees' decision on Luis Gil's role to start the 2026 season highlights the difficult roster decisions teams face in managing their pitching staffs, even with promising young talent. Gil's potential demotion or bullpen assignment is a setback in his development, but the team must balance his long-term potential with their immediate pitching needs.