Paul Blackburn Shines in Spring Training Start for Yankees Against Phillies

Paul Blackburn is making his mark this spring as he returns to the Yankees after a challenging 2025 season that saw him split time between The Bronx and Queens. In a confident display, the right-hander delivered four shutout innings against the Philadelphia Phillies, showcasing his improved physical condition compared to the previous year. Blackburn’s performance is a promising sign for the Yankees as they look to solidify their pitching rotation.

Also catching attention on the mound was Luis Gil, whose velocity showed an encouraging uptick from his earlier spring outings. Averaging 96.6 mph during his Rookie of the Year season in 2024, Gil’s fastball dipped to 95.3 mph last year, but he found a rhythm on Tuesday, averaging 95.5 mph in his fourth start of the spring. “You feel that you keep getting better and stronger and sharper,” Gil expressed through an interpreter after a solid 62-pitch outing that lasted 3 ¹/₃ innings.

Offensively, Garrett Martin, a 25-year-old outfielder who wrapped up last season with Double-A Somerset, made his presence felt with a powerful 110 mph single in the ninth inning, further adding to the excitement of the game. As the Yankees prepare for their next challenge, Cam Schlittler is set to take the mound against the Blue Jays at Steinbrenner Field at 6:35 p.m., promising another thrilling matchup for fans.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.