The New York Yankees currently hold a comfortable seven-game lead atop the American League East. Although it’s still early in the season, the team must stay locked in and maintain its position in the months ahead. Two pitchers who need to catch fire and stay hot to help ensure that are Luis Gil and Will Warren.
It’s truly remarkable how the narrative around the Yankees has transformed from a pessimistic outlook to one filled with optimism. The team had been hit hard by injuries earlier in the season, with some being minor setbacks and others major blows.
Giancarlo Stanton has landed on the injured list for an extended period, and Gerrit Cole has been ruled out for the entire 2025 season. Another significant loss was Luis Gil, who injured his lat muscle during spring training and is expected to be out until around June.
These injuries were a substantial setback for the Yankees’ rotation, depriving them of two of their best pitchers. However, this didn’t diminish the team’s resolve or affect the performances of those who stepped in.
The replacements have done an impressive job and have helped establish a positive momentum for the Yankees. With Gil’s return just around the corner, he’ll be joining a team that’s firmly in the playoff hunt, while Warren is expected to keep delivering dominant performances.
Will Warren Has Been a Revelation for the Yankees
Warren has gone from being a top prospect to becoming a reliable arm for the Yankees. He’s stepped into the rotation to fill in for Gil and has performed admirably in the role.
About a month ago, Warren had fans on edge after a rough start against the Tampa Bay Rays, lasting only 1 2/3 innings and surrendering one earned run on four hits.
While the numbers might not seem too concerning, his performance didn’t inspire much confidence at the time. But fast-forward a month, and Warren has turned things around completely.
On May 25th against the Colorado Rockies, Warren was sharp in a short four-inning outing. He allowed just two runs on two hits, walked two, and struck out seven batters, throwing 38 strikes out of 57 pitches.
So far this season, Will Warren has posted a 4.09 ERA across 50 2/3 innings, with 67 strikeouts and 20 walks, and holds a 3-2 record. Command of his fastball has been critical, especially since it was a problem early on.
Warren uses his fastball for 35.2% of his pitches, and it has the second-highest put-away rate in his arsenal. His next most-used pitch is the sweeper, followed by his go-to out-pitch, the sinker. The sinker boasts a 33.3% put-away rate and a 27.7-inch drop, making it an effective weapon.
He also mixes in a changeup and curveball, getting both groundouts and flyouts while also serving as a strikeout pitcher. Warren will probably stay in the rotation when Luis Gil returns, especially since Gerrit Cole remains sidelined, which keeps the Yankees at a five-man rotation. To maintain his spot and help the team, Warren will need to stay sharp.
Gil’s Return on the Horizon, with High Expectations
The 2024 AL Rookie of the Year is on track to return within the next month or two. Gil, who was expected to have a breakout season as part of a strong rotation, has had his momentum stalled by his injury and the subsequent downtime. He’s projected to return to the Yankees’ rotation by early to mid-July, likely just before or after the All-Star break.
The Yankees will need to manage his ramp-up carefully to avoid re-injury and prepare him for the demanding workload ahead. His return — and hopefully his effectiveness — is eagerly awaited. Gil is expected to provide strong innings and be a reliable force on the mound.
The Yankees currently have a comfortable lead in the AL East, and they’ll need both Warren and Gil to keep their momentum rolling through the rest of the season.
