His stuff is electric, but his command has always been an area of concern. In 2024, a high chase rate bucked the command issues. As his chase regressed, so did the strikeouts as did the walks. He’s an uber-talented arm with plus fastball velocity, but control is key for Gil.
Rounding out the 2026 Yankees rotation with a wild card like Gil isn’t a bad thing. He’s low enough in the rotation to soften the burden on him to carry the rotation. The No. 5 spot is also one where they can plug others in if Gil isn’t up to snuff.
But the 2026 Yankees just need to stay afloat until they have their two All-Stars return from injury.
The Returns
The biggest return the Yankees await is that of right-hander Gerrit Cole. After missing all of 2025, he’s slated to come back some time midseason.
There’s no guarantee he’ll be back to pre-surgery form. But it’s important to remember the caliber of arm Yankees had. Even if he’s 80% of his former self, he’s still one of the best right-handers in the game. In 2024, despite impending doom with his elbow that lingered for much of the season, he had a 3.41 ERA and 99 strikeouts in 95 innings. He even contributed a 2.17 ERA in 29 postseason innings.
Coming back to a rotation anchored by Fried and ideally Schlittler gives Cole a buffer to work out his rust at the MLB level. To win World Series No. 28, the Yankees will need him at his best when it matters most.
Carlos Rodón, however, should return even sooner. Lost in the dominance of other left-handers in the division was Rodón’s great 2025 campaign. He finally stacked consecutive healthy seasons, and he improved on a topsy-turvy 2024 season. Last year, he posted a 3.09 ERA with the 10th-most strikeouts in the majors.
He, along with Fried, tied for the fourth-most innings in the league. So, while he may not be the best southpaw in the league, his absence will certainly be felt no matter how long it’s there.