MEXICO CITY -- Luis Gil’s dominant spring has secured a place for the right-hander as the Yankees’ No. 5 starter, manager Aaron Boone confirmed on Sunday.

Gil earned a spot after ace Gerrit Cole’s right elbow injury pushed the club’s other four starters up in the pecking order, with Nestor Cortes set to start the season opener on Thursday against the Astros in Houston. He’ll be followed by Carlos Rodón, Marcus Stroman and Clarke Schmidt.

“I’m excited about the options that we have,” Boone said. “Obviously you never want to see Gerrit go down, but I’m excited about the people that emerged and legitimately put their name in that conversation up until late. I feel like the way Luis is throwing the ball, really from the jump, he’s certainly earned that with how he’s performed. We continue to be really excited about what he can be as a starting pitcher.”

Boone said that Gil was informed of the decision on Friday in Tampa, Fla., by general manager Brian Cashman and pitching coach Matt Blake.

The 25-year-old Gil wrapped his spring Friday with four innings of two-run, two-hit ball against the Mets. In 15 2/3 Grapefruit League innings across five games (three starts), Gil permitted five runs (2.87 ERA) and seven hits, walking six and striking out a team-leading 23.

Gil edged a group of candidates that included right-hander Will Warren, the club’s No. 8 prospect according to MLB Pipeline. Others in competition included Clayton Beeter, Cody Poteet and Luke Weaver.

The Yankees optioned Poteet, Ron Marinaccio and Nick Ramirez to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Sunday and reassigned Warren to Minor League camp. Warren is likely to begin the season at Triple-A.

“I think Will’s got a bright future as a starting pitcher in this league,” Boone said. “I’m sure there’s a great chance you’ll see him sooner rather than later, too.”

Boone said that Gil proved to be further along than anticipated from the Tommy John surgery that cost him most of the 2022 and ’23 seasons, noting that Gil’s developing changeup has complemented his electric fastball and slider combination.

“I’m excited about where he was health-wise, but I didn’t necessarily expect him to be that far along from a polish standpoint,” Boone said. “He’s done a great job.”

It remains to be seen how many starts Gil will make, but for the moment, there will be no redux of the “Joba Rules” -- the Yankees' attempt to preserve the arm of prized youngster Joba Chamberlain. Boone said that Gil will not be placed on an innings limit.

“The way we’re able to monitor and measure guys’ output, what they’re able to do not only on the mound but between starts, it gives us a more clear idea than in the past,” Boone said. “We’re in a better position to make better calls on that.”