Yankees news: Boone sets his own lineups, Yankees say

Mar 4, 2026; Fort Myers, Florida, USA; New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone (17) walks back to the dugout after making a pitching change in the fifth inning against the Boston Red Sox at JetBlue Park at Fenway South. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images | Jim Rassol-Imagn Images The Athletic | Chris Kirshner : (subscription required) Who sets the Yankees’ lineups? The predominant assumption among fans is that the front office and their analytics department has the final say.

Not so, says Aaron Boone. He, Brian Cashman, and bench coach Brad Ausmus all claim that Boone sets all of his lineups himself, and that the front office has never once dictated a batting order. They even refute the theory that each game’s lineup is a synthesis of three lineups – Boone’s, Ausmus’, and the front office’s – claiming that it is a collaborative effort between Boone and Ausmus, with the analytics department only occasionally serving as an advisor, and only “major decision (s)” being run by Cashman (and Hal Steinbrenner).

Boone and Ausmus are surprisingly candid about their approach to lineup construction in this piece, providing plenty of insights about the plethora of factors they consider when setting the order for each game. I don’t know if their stated modus operandi will assuage your fears or provide even more fuel for the “fire Boone” movement, but either way, this is well worth your time. Sports Illustrated | Joseph Randazzo : One name was missing from the Yankees’ four-man rotation to start the 2026 season: Luis Gil.

The Yankees are reportedly still weighing whether to option him to the minors or use him as a piggyback starter in the early days of the season, but in any case, he does not have a rotation spot. Randazzo argues that the Yankees made the correct decision, as Gil still needs to work on some issues, and starting the year in Scranton (should he be sent down) wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world, as it would provide him with an opportunity to start games consistently. He also points out that Gil would also be the first arm up in the event of an injury befalling the rotation, so it’s likely that he’ll get another crack at securing a rotation spot.