Luis Gil set for MLB return as he seeks to answer key Yankees questions

The Yankees will welcome Luis Gil back to the rotation Friday, but which version will take the mound?

Apr. 10, 2026 at 3:08am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A fragmented, geometric painting depicting a baseball pitcher's windup and delivery, with sharp planes of color and overlapping perspectives conveying the dynamic motion of the sport.A cubist interpretation of a Yankees pitcher's motion captures the raw athleticism and kinetic energy of the game.NYC Today

Luis Gil, the 27-year-old Yankees pitcher, is set to make his return to the major league rotation on Friday. However, the question remains which version of Gil will take the mound - the 2024 Rookie of the Year who was nearly unhittable, or the 2025 version who struggled with injuries and a dip in velocity and stuff. Gil will have the opportunity to begin answering that question when he faces the Rays in St. Petersburg.

Why it matters

Gil's performance will be crucial for the Yankees, who are in the midst of a stretch of 13 games in 13 days and will need to rely on their starting rotation. The team is hoping Gil can recapture the form that made him a standout rookie, but his recent struggles have raised questions about his current abilities.

The details

Gil did not look his best through much of spring training, which led to him starting the season in Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. However, his velocity ticked up in a dominant start against the Orioles to end his time in the Grapefruit League. In his lone start with SWB, Gil's velocity was down, but the cold, windy conditions in Rochester may have played a role. He allowed three runs on four hits and four walks, while striking out six in 4 2/3 innings. Notably, Gil added a sinker to his repertoire, a pitch he did not have in his first two MLB seasons.

  • On Sunday, Gil made his lone start with SWB during a chilly afternoon in Rochester.
  • Gil will take the mound in St. Petersburg on Friday to open a series against the Rays.

The players

Luis Gil

A 27-year-old pitcher for the New York Yankees who is set to make his return to the major league rotation on Friday. Gil was the 2024 Rookie of the Year but struggled with injuries and a dip in performance in 2025.

Aaron Boone

The manager of the New York Yankees, who watched Gil's start in Rochester on a monitor during a rain delay in The Bronx.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“You could tell it was a really cold, windy day in Rochester. That first inning, he gave up a couple runs. I think he struck out the side in the first inning.”

— Aaron Boone, Manager

“Hopefully it's just something that's a little bit of a different look to help the four-seam play up a little bit and also help out with his secondary.”

— Aaron Boone, Manager

What’s next

The Yankees are three games into a stretch of 13 games in 13 days, which suggests they will likely roll with the five-man rotation for a short while and enable Gil to make two starts. Whether he sticks in the majors beyond that will hinge upon injury and upon which version of Gil takes the mound this year.

The takeaway

Gil's return to the Yankees' rotation is a crucial moment as the team looks to solidify its starting pitching during a busy stretch of the schedule. His performance will go a long way in determining if he can recapture the form that made him a standout rookie, or if the issues that plagued him in 2025 will continue to be a problem.