Yankees Announce 4-Man Rotation to Open 2026 MLB Season, Luis Gil Status TBD

The New York Yankees will be slightly short-handed to start the 2026 season.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone told reporters on Sunday that the team will open the year with a four-man starting rotation consisting of Max Fried, Cam Schlittler, Will Warren and Ryan Weathers. He added that the team is still deciding whether or not Luis Gil will make the roster before Opening Day.

Gil has started six games for the Yankees in spring training and produced a 4.66 ERA and 24 strikeouts in 19.1 innings pitched. He gave up seven earned runs in a 12-1 loss to the Detroit Tigers last week before bouncing back with five shutout innings and seven strikeouts in a 3-1 win over the Baltimore Orioles on Friday.

The 2024 American League Rookie of the Year, Gil was limited to just 11 starts in 2025 after missing significant time with a high-grade lat strain. He managed to go 4-1 with a 3.32 ERA, but his strikeout rate dropped with just 41 in 57.0 innings pitched.

The Yankees are also set to be without ace Gerrit Cole, who is a year removed from Tommy John surgery. He made his spring training debut on Wednesday and threw 10 pitches in a scoreless first inning against the Boston Red Sox. Boone said he projects Cole to make his season debut in late May or early June.

All-Star pitcher Carlos Rodon also won't be ready for Opening Day after undergoing offseason elbow surgery. He's expected to be back in action in April or May.

It could be a tough start to the season for the Yankees as they rotate between four starters, but the reinforcements throughout the year should help the Bronx Bombers remain in playoff contention.