The first two games of the Yankees\u2019 spring schedule showcased the two hottest pitching prospects in the organization, Elmer Rodr\u00edguez and Carlos Lagrange. Today, a post-hype-prospect-turned-post-hype Major Leaguer gets the ball. Luis Gil will need a big spring to reestablish his place in the MLB rotation, especially with those two hotshots rising through the ranks. He\u2019ll make his first start opposite Justin Hagenman as the Yankees host the Mets at George M. Steinbrenner Field.<\/p>\n
Gil only threw 57 regular season innings in 2025 after his AL Rookie of the Year-winning campaign in 2024. While his 3.32 ERA was fine enough, his strikeouts plummeted and his 4.63 FIP indicated deeper issues. He made an unimpressive start in the ALDS against the Blue Jays and enters 2026 with far less buzz around him than the new kids on the block. Even with Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rod\u00f3n set to miss the first chunk of the season, Gil still might not be guaranteed a rotation spot; FanGraphs\u2019 RosterResource<\/a> currently has him fifth on the rotation depth chart behind Max Fried, Cam Schlittler, Will Warren, and even new arrival Ryan Weathers (though the Yankees\u2019 selection of Gil over Warren for a playoff start last October likely still reflects some internal thinking).<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n With that in mind, it will be interesting to see how he comes out of the gate following a long offseason. Will we continue to see Gil tamp down the fastball velocity as he did last season, in order to keep from running out of steam? Or will the urgency to win a spot and restore trust have him tossing fireballs right away? Of course, Gil likely won\u2019t be built up to full velocity anyway, but we should still get a decent idea based on the numbers. As always, command and missing bats will be focal points as well.<\/p>\n Gil will be opposed by South Jersey native Justin Hagenman, who had his inaugural big-league cup of coffee after seven seasons in the Minors. The 29-year old right-hander posted a 4.56 ERA in 9 games with 23 K\u2019s in 23.2 innings, not too shabby an introduction. We\u2019re most likely looking at a depth reliever or swingman-type player here; he throws a lot of strikes but lacks a truly eye-popping offering. There may be an analogue to the Garden State in there somewhere.<\/p>\n It\u2019s a packed lineup today for the Bombers. The full starting outfield\u2014albeit with Aaron Judge at DH\u2014will take their familiar top three spots in the lineup while Jazz Chisholm Jr. bats cleanup. Paul Goldschmidt will man the cold corner with Austin Wells behind the plate. Amed Rosario will play third base, former Rockie Yanquiel Fern\u00e1ndez will be stationed in right field, and Jos\u00e9 Caballero rounds out the starting nine at shortstop.<\/p>\n How to watch<\/p>\n Location: George M Steinbrenner Field \u2014 Tampa, FL<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n First pitch: 1:05 pm ET<\/p>\n TV broadcast: Gotham Sports App, MLB Network (out-of-network only)<\/p>\n Radio broadcast: WHSQ 880AM & Audacy Mets Radio<\/p>\n Online stream: Gotham Sports App<\/p>\n For updates, follow us on\u00a0Twitter<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Instagram<\/a>, and like us on\u00a0Facebook<\/a>.<\/p>\n