TAMPA — The Yankees can’t replace Gerrit Cole, but they do like some of the potential fill-ins that they employ.
“I feel good about our internal options,” Brian Cashman said Saturday after addressing Gerrit Cole’s elbow inflammation, which will prevent him from throwing for three to four weeks.
While Cashman did leave the door open for external upgrades — he always does — the general manager specifically mentioned Luke Weaver, Will Warren, Clayton Beeter and Cody Poteet as incumbent choices. He also noted Luis Gil, who made another compelling case to join the rotation shortly after Cashman spoke.
The right-hander blanked the Blue Jays for 3.1 innings and 56 pitches at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Gil, who lowered his spring ERA to 2.31, totaled one hit, one walk and four strikeouts while his fastball topped out at 99.1 mph and averaged 97.1 mph.
The outing followed a March 11 performance that saw Gil strikeout eight Phillies over 3.2 scoreless innings.
Luis Gil, 99mph ⛽️ pic.twitter.com/VB3v9MhWmb
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) March 16, 2024
The 25-year-old, who essentially lost the last two years to Tommy John surgery after an impressive debut in 2021, said that he believes he can build himself all the way up before the season starts following a normal winter. But he’s also not trying to think about the hole in the Yankees’ rotation with Cole sidelined.
“We had to do a lot of work to put myself in a good spot coming into camp, and I think I’ve been able to keep the same kind of concentration and focus,” Gil said. “That being said, if I’m given the opportunity to be the fifth starter, I’m going to welcome that opportunity and I’m going to keep the focus and keep going out there and doing my job.”
Some have wondered if Gil may be better suited for the bullpen, as his arsenal has always been heavily dependent on his elite heater and a sharp slider. However, Gil has used a refined changeup a lot this spring, including 17 times on Saturday. It induced four whiffs.
“We made it a point to work on that pitch,” Gil said. “If you remember, going back to when I debuted, I was really a two-pitch pitcher. It was important for me to work on the third pitch. I wanted to really get it to a spot where I felt comfortable using it, and now we’re able to use it.”
Added Aaron Boone: “I’m a little encouraged by the feel he seems to have for his secondary right now, especially the changeup.”
Luis Gil, Filthy 91mph Changeup and 89mph Slider. 😷 pic.twitter.com/cNEjQ37jtp
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) March 16, 2024
Boone also said “yes” when asked if Gil is now in a different spot status-wise compared to when camp began. The manager attributed that to some uncertainty post-surgery, but “he’s centered himself right in the conversation.”
While Gil has looked dominant lately, he still faces stiff competition for the fifth rotation spot.
Beeter, Warren and Poteet have all pitched well this spring. Meanwhile, Weaver is guaranteed $2 million and can’t be optioned to the minor leagues. That, as well as experience, could give the journeyman an edge.
“I think we’ll have a lot of conversations wrapped around all of those guys,” Cashman said. “I certainly hope I didn’t leave anyone out.”
Cashman was specifically questioned about Warren, a pitching prospect that Hal Steinbrenner recently said he didn’t want to trade.
A few people in the Yankees organization have said that they expect Warren to debut this season, and he recently said that he feels ready for the big leagues. While Warren is not on the 40-man roster, Cashman said, “I think so” when asked if the 24-year-old righty is a legitimate candidate to be the team’s fifth starter.
“He’s had our attention prior to this camp, and he’s continued to gain our attention with what he’s done so far in camp,” Cashman said while praising the way Warren has handled the spotlight this spring. “He has not eliminated himself from that competition. If anything, he’s kept himself in play for this.”
