TAMPA — The top two candidates for the Yankees’ fifth starting pitcher were in the spotlight Friday, but it appears the decision wasn’t all that easy.
Lewis Gil and Will Warren both had solid performances in their final spring appearances, giving the Yankees something to think about heading into the final day of camp.
Gill pitched the first four innings of a 5-3 win over the Mets at Steinbrenner Field, striking out five and allowing two runs on a home run to Mark Vientos.
In the process, he increased his pitch count to 63 pitches.
“He’s been very vocal about being on this team,” manager Aaron Boone said.
Warren then appeared as a reliever, increasing his pitch count to 71 while pitching five innings, giving up one run.
“You can see everything being played,” Boone said. “He has a starting pitcher’s repertoire, he has a lot of confidence, he has a great attitude on the mound. So he’s done a great job and is happy to be in this position of making difficult decisions for us. I made it.”
The other two candidates, Cody Poteet and Clayton Beater, are both scheduled to pitch in Saturday’s Yankees split-squad game against the Tigers.
Luke Weaver is another option, but he was limited to 50 pitches Wednesday and could be ticketed to a long man in the bullpen.
You don’t have to choose between Gill and Warren to make your roster.
Boone reiterated that both players could potentially join the team.
If that happens, Warren (not yet on the 40-man roster) would become the fifth starter and Gill would fill a Michael King-like role in the bullpen.
If Warren is the fifth starter, the Yankees could wait until Game 5 to add him to the roster and use an additional reliever for the first four games.
“It’s how we construct the roster. What’s the best role for everyone?” Boone said. “Again, I feel like there’s a lot of good choices. We could top the two guys today who did a really great job.”
Boone said it’s possible the Yankees make a decision before some of the team leaves for Mexico City on Saturday night, but that seems unlikely.
Aaron Judge made his spring debut in left field on Friday, acquitting Brett Batty’s deep fly ball in the third inning by returning close to the cordon and catching it.
“He’s basically a very sound outfielder, and it showed right away on the first play,” Boone said. “With Judge, I always feel like he’s playing the game. It’s slow, but there’s some speed to it. It showed in the left field today.”
Juan Soto was originally scheduled to play in the Yankees’ two games in Mexico City on Sunday and Monday, but he will not participate in the trip.
“To fix his swing and make sure he’s where we want him to be, given the facilities and equipment we have here, we probably want to keep him here and make sure he’s where we want him to be. I think it’s best to make sure he’s exactly where he wants to be heading into the regular season,” Boone said.
The exact roster that will fly to Mexico City on Saturday night was still up in the air as of Friday.
Giancarlo Stanton, Alex Verdugo, Jose Trevino, Anthony Volpe and Victor Gonzalez were all expected to remain.
The Yankees optioned left-handed reliever Clayton Andrews to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
