Yankees demote former AL Rookie of the Year Luis Gil as struggles continue

AL EastBlue JaysOriolesRaysRed SoxYankeesAL CentralGuardiansRoyalsTigersTwinsWhite SoxAL WestAngelsAstrosAthleticsMarinersRangersNL EastBravesMarlinsMetsNationalsPhilliesNL CentralBrewersCardinalsCubsPiratesRedsNL WestDiamondbacksDodgersGiantsPadresRockiesScores & ScheduleStandingsPodcastsThe Windup NewsletterFantasyMLB ProspectsMLB OddsMLB PicksPower RankingsFans Speak UpTop ProspectsMLB Season In Sunday's series finale, Luis Gil allowed six runs over four innings. Maria Lysaker / Getty Images Share articleHOUSTON — In a somewhat surprising move, the Yankees demoted the struggling Luis Gil after the Astros rocked him in a 7-4 loss at Daikin Park on Sunday afternoon. The Yankees didn’t announce a corresponding move, but with Thursday’s off day coming, they can skip the fifth spot in the rotation and keep an extra reliever if they want. Gil’s problems continued when he gave up six runs on five hits, including two home runs, while walking three in four innings. He did not register a strikeout on Sunday. “Just been struggling to get consistency with his, I think, delivery and his fastball profile,” manager Aaron Boone said. Luis Gil has pitched 12 fewer innings than any other Yankee starter this season … and has allowed the most HR (6), walks (11) and ER (13) among Yankee pitchers. — Katie Sharp (@SharpStats17) April 26, 2026 Over four starts, Gil has a 6.05 ERA. Initially, the Yankees left him off their Opening Day roster because they didn’t need a fifth starter for nearly two weeks into the season — a sign of how far Gil’s stock has fallen after he won the 2024 American League Rookie of the Year award. Gil has struggled with command and control of all of his pitches, and his fastball hasn’t had the zip it did two years ago. In 2024, his heater was averaging 96.6 mph. He went into Sunday with it averaging 94.8 mph, and he’s had a hard time using it to set up his slider and changeup. He’s struck out just 4.9 batters per nine innings and is largely unable to get hitters to swing and miss at his pitches. “It’s frustrating,” Gil said via the Yankees’ Spanish interpreter. “You find yourself in a bad slump regarding that. But at the same time, it’s part of the game, and I know that, God willing, I’m going to get through this.” Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms