Yankees Designate Cade Winquest For Assignment The New York Yankees officially designated Rule 5 pick Cade Winquest for assignment on April 10, following the recall of right-handed pitcher Luis Gil. The move was reported by Jon Heyman of The New York Post on April 9, citing that Winquest, a 25-year-old right-handed reliever, did not appear in a game during his two-week stint in the team’s bullpen. The decision aligns with manager Aaron Boone’s plan to bring up Gil, who is set to start the team’s series opener against the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday. Boone indicated over the weekend that Gil would be recalled this week, with the 28-year-old listed as the probable starter opposite Steven Matz. The move was necessitated by the 13-pitcher limit, which required the Yankees to trim their roster from nine to eight relievers. Despite the need to reduce the bullpen, the team opted to retain key arms like Brent Headrick and Jake Bird, who have shown effectiveness in spring training. Fernando Cruz and Camilo Doval were the only other relievers with minor league options, leaving Winquest as the designated player to be sent down. Winquest’s spring performance was underwhelming, as he allowed nine runs (eight earned) with eight strikeouts and four walks across 10 innings. His struggles led to surprise that he broke camp with the Yankees, as the team did not find a scenario where Boone felt comfortable using him in regular-season games. Rule 5 picks are typically used as low-leverage relievers early in the season, and Winquest’s lack of trust from the manager contributed to his designation. The Yankees’ decision also reflects their strategy for the season, as they had previously run a four-man rotation due to their off-day schedule.#new_york_yankees #aaron_boone #st_louis_cardinals #luis_gil #cade_winquest
Yankees Designate Cade Winquest Without Regular-Season Appearance New York Yankees right-hander Cade Winquest’s major league career appears set to end without him ever taking the mound in a regular-season game. The team designated him for assignment on Friday, clearing a roster spot for the recently recalled Luis Gil, who is scheduled to start the series opener against the Tampa Bay Rays. Winquest, 25, was selected by the Yankees in the Rule 5 draft during December’s winter meetings and became the first Rule 5 player to make the opening day roster since infielder Josh Phelps in 2007. The decision to designate Winquest comes as the Yankees seek to make room for Gil, a left-handed pitcher acquired from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Gil’s promotion marks a strategic move to bolster the rotation for the upcoming season, with the Rays’ series opener serving as a critical test for the 26-year-old hurler. Winquest’s absence from the active roster underscores the team’s focus on players who have demonstrated readiness for the majors, as the right-hander’s spring training performance did not meet the expectations required to secure a regular role. Winquest, an eighth-round pick by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 2022 amateur draft, was part of their farm system from 2023 to 2025 before being selected in the Rule 5 draft. The Rule 5 process allows teams to claim players from other organizations’ minor league systems, provided they are not protected by a qualifying offer. By selecting Winquest, the Yankees assumed responsibility for his development, though his limited impact during spring training raised questions about his viability in the majors. In his nine outings this spring, Winquest posted a 0-1 record with a 7.20 ERA, struggling to consistently locate his pitches and manage opposing hitters.#yankees #tampa_bay_rays #luis_gil #cade_winquest #rule_5_draft
Luis Gil to Begin 2026 Season in Minor Leagues The New York Yankees have confirmed that right-handed pitcher Luis Gil will start the 2026 season in Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre rather than joining the major league bullpen. The 27-year-old, who was named American League Rookie of the Year in 2024, will open the season in the minors after the team opted for a four-man rotation to begin the campaign. Manager Aaron Boone announced the decision on Tuesday, stating that Gil’s goal is to eventually return to the starting rotation when the Yankees need a fifth starter. Gil, who pitched 19 1/3 innings this spring with a 4.66 ERA and 1.29 WHIP, will participate in live throwing sessions in Florida this week before joining the Triple-A team. Boone emphasized that Gil’s physical condition is at its peak, noting that strength and conditioning evaluations have placed him in the best shape of his career. “He’s as strong as he’s ever been,” Boone said, adding that the team hopes his spring performance will translate into success in the minors. The Yankees’ decision to send Gil to the minors was not a reflection of his spring progress, according to Boone. Instead, the manager highlighted the competitive nature of the roster, noting that multiple pitchers are vying for a spot in the rotation. “There’s a lot of people pushing for competition right now that are pushing themselves into the conversation,” Boone said. “That competition is going to remain, so it’s important that [Gil] continues the trajectory he’s been on since the start of camp.” In addition to Gil, the Yankees have finalized their bullpen for 2026, with Cade Winquest, Brent Headrick, and Jake Bird joining the roster. Headrick, a left-handed reliever, posted a 2.#new_york_yankees #aaron_boone #luis_gil #cade_winquest #triple_a_scrantonwilkesbarre
Yankees Option Luis Gil; Rule 5 Pick Cade Winquest Makes Roster The New York Yankees have optioned right-handed pitcher Luis Gil to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, according to Greg Joyce of the New York Post. This move allows the team to free up a bullpen spot, which will be filled by Rule 5 Draft pick Cade Winquest. The Yankees, who have four off-days in the first 12 days of the 2026 season, will skip the fifth starter role a couple of times, giving them flexibility in their rotation. Gil is expected to be recalled when the team needs a fifth starter or if there’s an injury in the rotation. Gil, 27, was named American League Rookie of the Year in 2024 but pitched only 57 innings in 2025 due to a lat strain. During his healthy outings, he posted a 3.32 ERA but struggled with diminished velocity and strikeout rates compared to his 2024 performance. In 2024, he struck out 26.8% of batters with a 12.1% walk rate, but in 2025, those numbers dropped to 16.8% and 13.5%, respectively. This decline in effectiveness has raised concerns about his readiness for a full season. This is Gil’s final minor league option year, though if he is recalled within the first 20 days of the season, the option won’t technically need to be used. He remains under club control through 2028, and spending fewer than 99 days on the roster could delay his free agent eligibility by a season. Gil has pitched in six spring training games, totaling 19 1/3 innings with a 4.66 ERA. While his strikeout rate (29.6%) and walk rate (6.2%) were strong, he allowed six home runs (2.79 HR/9), indicating a need for improved command. Winquest, the Rule 5 pick, will make his major league debut after allowing eight earned runs on 13 hits and four walks with eight strikeouts in 10 spring training innings.#new_york_yankees #luis_gil #greg_joyce #cade_winquest #rule_5_draft
Yankees Leave Luis Gil Out of Opening Rotation, Consider Minor League Placement The New York Yankees have decided not to include Luis Gil in their starting rotation for the opening of the 2025 season, leaving the 2024 American League Rookie of the Year without a guaranteed role in the majors. The team announced on Sunday that their initial four-man rotation will consist of Max Fried, Cam Schlittler, Will Warren, and Ryan Weathers. This decision was made to accommodate the Yankees’ schedule, which includes four off days within the first 13 games of the season. Gil, who was selected as the 2024 AL Rookie of the Year, now faces uncertainty about his place on the 26-man roster. Yankees pitching coach Matt Blake acknowledged the frustration of not having Gil in the rotation but emphasized the team’s need to balance the schedule and maintain rhythm for both the bullpen and starting pitchers. “He’d like to be a starter with us, so frustrating,” Blake said, according to MLB.com. “But at the same time, he understands the position we’re in with the way the schedule lines up for the first two weeks in particular.” Manager Aaron Boone suggested that the minors might be the best option for Gil to stay on a starting pitcher’s routine, allowing him to regain his rhythm before potentially rejoining the rotation. “We’re working through that—do we want him to start a couple [in the minors] and then pop him in the rotation?” Boone said, per the New York Post. “Is there an avenue to do it a different way? That’s what we’re working through still.” The Yankees’ season opener is set for Wednesday against the San Francisco Giants. After the initial 13-game stretch, the team will play 13 games in 13 days from April 7 to April 19, which will likely be Gil’s first opportunity to rejoin the rotation.#yankees #luis_gil #max_fried #cam_schlittler #will_warren
