Few would have expected the New York Yankees rotation to thrive without their star pitcher Gerrit Cole, who has not played this season due to elbow issues from Spring Training But that’s exactly what the healthy pitchers have done, with the team ranking second in MLB for.
, fourth for ERAopposing batting average and second for . Among the Yankees starters, none has performed better than Luis Gil, a 25-year-old righty who secured a spot in the rotation after a strong preseason. winsIn eight starts, Gil has maintained a 2.51 ERA, the
best among all Yankees starters , and he’s tied for the most wins and most total innings. Nonetheless, as Cole gets closer to returning,Randy Miller of NJ.com predicts Gil will become a reliever instead “If Cole comes back with the current healthy starters, someone will lose their spot,” Miller noted. “My prediction: (Nestor) Cortes retains his rotation spot and Gil moves to the bullpen and ends up with around 100 innings tops.”.
Luis Gil Has Made the New York Yankees’ Decision Upon Gerrit Cole’s Return a Tough One
Before this season, moving Gil to a bullpen role would not have been difficult. Prior to 2024, he had only made seven big-league starts, with a
in just four innings total in 2022. However, his impressive performance this season will likely make the decision harder for the Yankees. 9.00 ERA “Gil is no longer the automatic choice just because he’s filled in for Cole, he’s less experienced, he can be unpredictable, and he can be sent down,” Miller added. “Gil throws the hardest and might have the best stuff among the Yankees’ current five-man rotation. He also has a 2.58 ERA after his latest game, pitching six shutout innings against the Rays.”
But there is one remaining factor that could determine Gil’s fate in the coming weeks: his endurance.
“Gil is in his first full season back from Tommy John surgery after pitching four innings last year and not surpassing 50 since 2019 when he pitched a career-high 96,” Miller noted. “Averaging five innings for 30 starts adds up to 150. There’s no way the Yankees let Gil do that.”
Despite Gerrit Cole's Return, Luis Gil Is Likely to Be Moved to a Different Role
Of course, things could change before Cole’s potential return. The star pitcher has progressed to the point of throwing long tosses, and manager Aaron Boone stated that the plan is to have him increase his baseball activities,
as Scott Butherus reported for MLB.com . But an exact timetable for his return has not been determined.Another member of the rotation might be replaced in the meantime. Or the Yankees might make other personnel changes that alter the situation. However, it appears that, despite his outstanding start, time is running out for Gil.
“At some point, the Yankees will likely have to transition Gil out of the starting pitcher role, no matter how difficult it is,”
Brendan Kuty wrote for The Athletic . “The most innings he pitched was in 2021, with 79 ⅓ in the minors and 29 ⅓ for the Yankees. He only pitched four innings last year because of Tommy John surgery.”Despite a strong beginning for New York Yankees pitcher Luis Gil, the team plans to move him to create space for Gerrit Cole.
