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Luis Gil Touches 98.8 in Five Scoreless, Reviving Yankees Rotation Bid

Release-point tweaks restored his fastball life, with the Opening Day rotation still unsettled.

Overview

  • The right-hander closed spring with five shutout innings and seven strikeouts in a 3-1 win over the Orioles at Steinbrenner Field.
  • His fastball averaged about 96.8–97 mph and peaked near 98.8–99 mph, an uptick from earlier spring outings and last season post-injury.
  • Work between starts to raise his release point improved deception and command, fueling nine whiffs on 37 swings with five strikeouts on the heater.
  • He also flashed a new sinker intended to induce weaker contact, limiting Baltimore to one hit and erasing a walk with a double play.
  • Manager Aaron Boone called it "2024 Luis Gil," and though Gil said he feels ready for a long season, the Yankees have yet to decide on a four- or five-man rotation, leaving options like a piggyback or brief Triple-A stint on the table.