The Yankees announced on Sunday that RHP Luis Gil has been optioned to AAA Scranton Wilkes-Barre following his start against the Astros.
Following today’s game, the Yankees optioned RHP Luis Gil to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) April 26, 2026
Rough Season for Gil
Gil has not pitched well at all this season. Through four starts, he has posted a 6.05 ERA. That is by far the highest by any pitcher on the Yankees staff. His expected ERA (xERA) in that same span this season 5.21, according to Baseball Savant. Gil did not make the Yankees roster out of spring training, and it was because his advanced metrics look really bad. They called him up a few weeks ago, and besides one good start, it’s been a whole lot of bad.
This could be the end of Gil as an MLB player. He currently does not have the stuff to get MLB players out. It’s a sobering fall from grace for someone who took the league by storm and won the AL Rookie of the Year award in 2024. This was Gil’s last minor leauge option and the Yankees did not want to use it. His poor performance forced their hands.
Who can take Gil’s rotation spot?
The good news for the Yankees is they have starters coming back from injury. Carlos Rodon is on a rehab assignment and is about two weeks away from returning to an MLB mound. Gerrit Cole is also on a rehab assignment, though the Yankees are going to let him take his time as his injury (Tommy John surgery) has a longer recovery requirement.
Right now, the Yankees will likely call up a bullpen arm for the week until a starter is needed Saturday. The Yankees have Yovanny Cruz in AAA, who has put up good numbers, who can come up and provide length out of the bullpen. It can be a piggyback situation with Cruz and one of Paul Blackburn and Ryan Yarbrough. Blackburn and Yarbrough combined for five innings allowing just one run Sunday against the Astros.
The Yankees can also give one of their top pitching prospects, Elmer Rodriguez, a look. Rodriguez has been good at AAA to start this season, posting a 1.27 ERA. Whatever the Yankees do, they made the right choice sending Gil down.
(Top Image Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images)
