CLEARWATER, Fla. – Luis Gil was among the American League’s best pitchers in 2024, when the right-hander won 15 games with a 3.50 ERA and 171 strikeouts, becoming the first Yankees pitcher to win an AL Rookie of the Year Award since Dave Righetti in 1981.
That’s where he’s setting the bar for 2026.
“I would probably say, ‘Break my own records from 2024 and keep improving,’” Gil said through interpreter Marlon Abreu. “Whatever those numbers are, if I’m able to break those, I’ll be happy with those. … I think we’re trending in the right way, and I feel like we’re getting close.”
Gil continued to show encouraging signs in his fourth spring start on Tuesday, permitting two runs (one earned) and four hits over 3 1/3 innings in the Yankees’ 4-2 Grapefruit League victory over the Phillies at BayCare Ballpark.
Coming off a 2025 season in which he was limited to 11 starts by injury, Gil said he’s encouraged to see his velocity rebounding. His four-seamer averaged 95.5 mph on Tuesday.
That’s slightly ahead of where Gil expected it to be at this point of camp, and he also flashed his slider and changeup against Philadelphia’s lineup.
“What you’re looking for at this time of camp is, you want to sustain the velo,” Gil said. “I’m happy. I feel that I keep getting better, stronger and sharper. You’re seeing the results of all the hard work.”
Gil is most pleased so far by his command. Across 11 1/3 spring innings, Gil has permitted three walks, striking out 15. He did not walk a batter Tuesday while fanning four.
“It’s like I always say, attacking the zone is so important for me,” Gil said. “So for me, it’s always the focus.”
Right here, right now
Jasson Domínguez sees every at-bat against a left-handed pitcher as a chance to change the narrative. He believes more reps from the right side of the plate are all that stands between him and sustained success.
Domínguez flashed that potential in the first inning Tuesday, belting a Tanner Banks four-seamer over the left-field wall for a homer, his second of the spring.
“It feels great. I got that one good,” Domínguez said. “I’ve been feeling pretty good. I’ve been taking good at-bats, getting good contact. That always has been one of my goals, to level out that right side.”
Lefties have given Domínguez trouble early in his big league career, limiting the 23-year-old to a .186 average (22-for-118) with a .530 OPS.
Manager Aaron Boone points out that Domínguez is a natural right-handed hitter, but injuries have cost him development time, including opportunities to face lefties.
“That’s why I see the potential there,” Boone said. “He still controls the zone from that side. It’s just continuing to get reps from that side.
“… Look, he’s still a better left-handed hitter, but there’s no reason to think that over time, the right side can’t come up. He’s got power from that side, he’s got plate discipline. It’s just a matter of continuing to gain experience.”
Bench considerations
With about two weeks remaining before Opening Day, Boone said “it’s honestly not clear for me yet” how the Yankees’ bench will shake out.
Paul Goldschmidt and Amed Rosario appear assured of spots. J.C. Escarra is in line to serve as the backup catcher, especially since Ben Rice is expected to mostly play first base and hasn’t caught in a game this spring.
That likely leaves one spot up for grabs. Oswaldo Cabrera recently returned to play after a serious left ankle injury sustained last May. And with the club building him slowly, it is unclear if he would be considered ready for the March 25 season opener in San Francisco.
Randal Grichuk made his spring debut on Monday, and Boone is high on the veteran outfielder’s track record against left-handed pitchers, a trait Goldschmidt and Rosario also share.
The Yanks are also toying with Ryan McMahon as a backup shortstop while Anthony Volpe rehabs from left shoulder surgery. Boone mentioned Max Schuemann, Paul DeJong and Jonathan Ornelas as versatile choices who are in the mix.
“We’ll see,” Boone said. “Those are all things we’ve got to still work through.”