Yankees Restructure Roster: Waive Reliever, Retain Luis Gil
The Yankees finalized their Opening Day roster Tuesday in San Francisco. Manager Aaron Boone confirmed several moves ahead of Wednesday’s opener against the Giants.
Right-hander Cade Winquest, a Rule 5 pick, made the 26-man roster. The club kept him despite a 7.20 ERA in nine Grapefruit League appearances.
Bullpen and roster construction
Winquest, lefty Brent Headrick and righty Jake Bird will be part of a nine-man bullpen. The Yankees will open with three lefty relievers.
- Bullpen: David Bednar, Jake Bird, Paul Blackburn, Fernando Cruz, Camilo Doval, Brent Headrick, Tim Hill, Cade Winquest, Ryan Yarbrough.
Reliever Oswaldo Bido was claimed off waivers by the Atlanta Braves. Bido had a strong spring, going 1-0 with a 1.50 ERA in six outings.
Luis Gil optioned to Triple-A
The Yankees decided to option right-hander Luis Gil to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. He must remain in the minors for 15 days.
Gil will throw an 85-pitch live batting practice session in Tampa. The team considered a piggyback role with Ryan Weathers but declined.
The club does not need a fifth starter until its 14th game on April 11. The move preserves flexibility early in the season.
The shift echoes the broader theme Yankees Restructure Roster: Waive Reliever, Retain Luis Gil as they juggle bullpen depth and rotation timing.
Winquest background
Winquest is 25 years old. Last season he struck out 110 batters in 106 innings across two minor-league levels in the Cardinals system.
He went 2-6 with a 4.52 ERA in 17 games, 15 as a starter, at High-A Springfield. He was 3-1 with a 3.19 ERA in eight starts at Double-A Springfield.
Trades, roster counts and injured list
The Yankees traded out-of-options infielder Jorbit Vivas to the Nationals. They received minor-league right-hander Sean Paul Liñan in return.
Liñan had been ranked the Nationals’ No. 27 prospect by MLB Pipeline. The move reduced the roster to 13 position players.
The Opening Day roster will be official once the club places three rehabbing players on the injured list. Those players are Carlos Rodon, Gerrit Cole and Anthony Volpe.
- Placed earlier: Clarke Schmidt was moved to the 60-day injured list on Feb. 12.
Rotation, position players and game notes
The announced four-man rotation is short and concise. It includes:
- Rotation: Max Fried (LHP), Cam Schlittler (RHP), Will Warren (RHP), Ryan Weathers (LHP).
- Catchers: J.C. Escarra, Austin Wells.
- Infielders: Jose Caballero, Jazz Chisholm, Paul Goldschmidt, Ryan McMahon, Ben Rice.
- Outfielders: Cody Bellinger, Randal Grichuk (non-roster), Trent Grisham, Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton.
- Utility: Amed Rosario.
- Injured list: Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodon, Clarke Schmidt, Anthony Volpe.
The Yankees begin the season Wednesday in San Francisco against the Giants. FanDuel set the over/under at seven total runs for the opener.
Filmogaz.com may receive compensation if you purchase a product or register through a link on the site. By using the site, you agree to its user and privacy terms.
