After a 7-4 loss to the Houston Astros at Daikin Park, the New York Yankees sent starting pitcher Luis Gil to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

The decision comes after Gil’s fastball velocity is down two mph from his AL Rookie of the Year campaign in 2024. In 2024, his heater averaged 96.6 mph. But in Sunday's game, it was just 94.8 mph.

His command has also been deemed poor, striking out just 4.9 batters per nine innings while allowing three home runs per nine innings. Gil surrendered six earned runs on five hits and three walks over just four innings in the last game.

“It’s frustrating,” Gil said about the decision. “You find yourself in a bad slump regarding that. But at the same time, it’s part of the game, and I know that, God willing, I’m going to get through this.”

Manager Aaron Boone provided a candid assessment of Gil's regression. Boone noted that the right-hander is battling inconsistencies across his entire arsenal.

“Just been struggling to get consistency with his, I think, delivery and his fastball profile,” Boone said.

Against Houston, Gil induced only three whiffs on 34 swings, none of which came on his fastball. And he has issued more walks (11) than strikeouts (9) through 19.1 innings this season. Gil posted 6.1 scoreless innings against the Red Sox in his previous start before allowing six earned runs against Houston, raising his ERA to 6.05 across four starts

It was the second time Gil had been sent down in 2026. He was first optioned out of Spring Training because the Yankees were operating with a four-man rotation for the first two weeks. He was recalled on April 10 to stabilize the fifth spot.

So, with Gil out, what do the Yankees do with this empty spot?

Gil officially heads to the minors for at least 15 days, and the earliest he can be called up is May 11th. There are only three possible paths forward for the team.

They can bring Gil back once his mandatory 15-day minor league stint concludes. The timing aligns with an upcoming stretch where the team plays six straight games at home, and 13 games in 13 days after a Thursday off day. However, Gil should show some improvement in the Triple-A for that.

The most likely scenario involves the return of the team's best arms: Carlos Rodon and Gerrit Cole. The manager has indicated that Rodón is currently ahead of Cole in his rehab progression.

But if they require more time, the Yankees may look to their surging Triple-A depth. The 22-year-old Elmer Rodríguez, Yankees' No. 6 prospect, and Carlos Lagrange, Yankees' No. 2 prospect, who consistently touch triple digits in fastball, are the options.

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Written by

Md Saife Fida

Edited by

Siddharth Shirwadkar