Yankees Set Rotation, Undecided on Gil and Winquest

As Major League Baseball's 2026 season approaches, the New York Yankees face critical roster choices on the eve of their opener Wednesday against the San Francisco Giants in San Francisco. With the regular season starting in less than a week, the team has settled on a four-man starting rotation but remains undecided on the roles of pitcher Luis Gil and Rule 5 draft pick Cade Winquest, both of whom could impact the early bullpen depth.

The Yankees' initial rotation features Max Fried starting the opener, followed by Cam Schlittler, Will Warren and Ryan Weathers. This setup accommodates four off-days in the first 13 days of the schedule, allowing pitchers to maintain rhythm without stretching the staff thin during the staggered early games. The decision leaves Gil, the 2024 American League Rookie of the Year, as the fifth starter without an immediate slot. Gil, limited to 11 starts and 57 innings last season due to a right lat strain, showed flashes of his prior dominance in spring training. In his final outing Friday against the Baltimore Orioles, he pitched five scoreless innings, allowing one hit, striking out seven and walking one. However, earlier struggles and an adjusted...