Last December, right-hander Cade Winquest became the first player selected by the Yankees in the Rule 5 Draft in 14 years. Four months later, Winquest made the Yankees’ Opening Day roster.
Winquest, however, will have to wait another day to make his MLB debut, as he was designated for assignment by the Yankees on Thursday, according to a report from The Athletic’s Chris Kirschner. The 25-year-old Winquest, who had to remain on the MLB roster after being selected in the Rule 5 Draft from the Cardinals, did not make an appearance out of the Yankees bullpen.
As a Rule 5 pick that was designated for assignment, Winquest not only has to pass through waivers, but the Cardinals would also have to decline to pay the Yankees $50,000 to bring him back to St. Louis for him to remain in the organization. It’s possible that Winquest makes it through these steps, but it's unlikely.
As a corresponding move, Kirschner reports that the Yankees will promote Luis Gil, who began the season with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. The Yankees didn’t have a need for a fifth starter through the season’s first few weeks, and opted to keep Gil stretched out in the Minors. In his one appearance on Sunday, Gil allowed three runs in 4 2/3 innings and struck out six batters.
In 11 games and 57 innings last season with the Yankees, Gil had a 3.32 ERA and 41 strikeouts. In 2024, Gil won American League Rookie of the Year, thanks to a 3.50 ERA and 171 strikeouts in 151 2/3 innings.