Boone keeps wild-card starter options open as Yankees weigh Game 3 plans

The Yankees are keeping their options open for a potential wild-card Game 3 starter, with Cam Schlittler and Luis Gil leading the candidates and Will Warren in the conversation. With rosters set to shrink from 28 to 26 for the postseason and a limit of 13 pitchers, manager Aaron Boone signaled that the plan could hinge on matchups and availability rather than a fixed two-man approach. Boone said the three right-handers are “kind of similar in how they match up,” meaning Schlittler and Gil’s high-powered stuff could be difficult to pair, and that a tandem did not seem likely.

Boone declined to reveal a concrete plan for Game 3, saying he did not have a firm decision on how many pitchers to carry or who would start the do-or-die game. He acknowledged the possibility that leftovers from the rotation could be used in relief, but gave little away about the roster construction or the sequence of starts. The biggest question remains whether Schlittler or Gil will get the assignment, a decision the Yankees would likely want to avoid by closing the series out before a deciding game is needed. Will Warren’s name remains in the mix as a potential option, highlighting the depth the club is weighing as it pares the group to 26.

Gil, who worked six innings on Tuesday, allowed two runs on four hits and two walks while striking out three in a solid outing against the White Sox. The velocity dip that showed up late in his start was not viewed as an injury issue by Boone, who said Gil’s planning to dial back to throw strikes rather than a physical problem. The performance kept Gil in the picture for Game 3, particularly if the Yankees want to avoid overextending their bullpen in a one-game scenario.

Yankees relievers have been stingy of late, not allowing a run in their past 12 2/3 innings and owning a 0.44 ERA over their past seven games. The bullpen’s recent stability adds a layer of flexibility to Boone’s decision, should he decide to lean more on the relief corps for a one-game decider rather than a traditional starter‑shortened plan.

Ben Rice made several notable plays on defense, including routine scoops at first base that Boone called encouraging. Rice, who caught Wednesday and is trying to prove himself at a few defensive positions, has been part of the ongoing evaluation as the club tightens its roster and positions ahead of the postseason. “It’s something he’s worked hard at, and certainly room to continue to improve there,” Boone said of Rice, underscoring the team’s broader emphasis on defense during a critical stretch.

Rodón was honored on the field before the game as the Yankees’ nominee for the 2025 Roberto Clemente Award, given to the player who “best represents the game of baseball through extraordinary character, community involvement, philanthropy and positive contributions, both on and off the field.” The Carlos Rodón Foundation supports couples facing infertility and pregnancy loss by providing financial assistance and resources to afford IVF. The recognition highlighted not only Rodón’s on-field contributions but also his off-field commitments as the team heads toward the postseason with a broad roster of potential contributors.

As New York weighs its wildcard strategy, Boone’s comments reflect a practical approach: keep options open, rely on depth, and let matchups and performance determine a path to the division series. The club’s focus remains on maximizing rest, ensuring bullpen readiness and leveraging defensive versatility as it pares its postseason roster to 26 players, with the potential for a late-inning, high-leverage structure ready to deploy if Game 3 becomes necessary.