NEW YORK — Carlos Rodon delivered good news this week. The New York Yankees needed it badly.
The left-hander appeared on the YES Network’s hot stove program and revealed he has resumed throwing. He made 30 throws from distances between 60 and 75 feet. His elbow feels healthy.
But here’s the catch. Rodon won’t make the Opening Day roster. And he’s not the only Yankees starter facing that reality.
Rodon targets early season return
The 33-year-old underwent surgery in October to remove loose bodies and shave down a bone spur from his left elbow. The procedure sidelined him from throwing for eight weeks.
Now in his second week of the throwing program, Rodon expressed optimism about his timeline.
“I’m not sure exactly when my first start will be, but I’m hoping sooner rather than later,” Rodon said. “Obviously it’s not going to be part of the Opening Day rotation, but hopefully it’s a few weeks. Whatever it is, I just want to be 100 percent and be able to pitch in every game that I can.”
The Yankees expect Rodon back in late April or sometime in May according to MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch. He plans to make some Grapefruit League appearances before pitching in minor league rehab games.
All-Star campaign proves his worth
Rodon silenced critics during his 2025 season. The numbers tell a remarkable story.
He posted career highs in wins (18), starts (33) and innings pitched (195.1). His 3.09 ERA ranked among the best in the American League. He struck out 203 batters while maintaining a 1.05 WHIP.
The performance earned him his third career All-Star selection and a sixth-place finish in Cy Young voting.
“It’s just one of those things that just becomes part of the day when you’re pitching,” Rodon said about competing through discomfort. “There’s plenty of guys that are banged up, competing out there. There’s not much room to make an excuse. My job is to go out there and compete and eat as many innings as I can, and give my team the best chance to win.”
Cole and Schmidt add to rotation concerns
Rodon isn’t the only Yankees starter recovering from surgery. The situation extends far beyond one pitcher.
Gerrit Cole missed the entire 2025 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery in March. The ace is targeting a May or June return. He has progressed to throwing off a mound and could face live hitters during spring training.
Clarke Schmidt underwent his own Tommy John procedure in July after posting a 3.32 ERA through 14 starts. He won’t return until the second half of 2026 at the earliest. Some projections suggest he could miss the entire season.
That leaves Max Fried as the only guaranteed healthy starter when the Yankees open their season. The reality creates enormous pressure on general manager Brian Cashman.
Offseason moves become essential
The Yankees cannot enter 2026 relying solely on Fried and hope. The math simply doesn’t work.
Rookie sensation Cam Schlittler emerged during the stretch run last season. He provides one internal option. Luis Gil offers another possibility despite his inconsistent 2025 campaign.
But the Yankees have explored external solutions aggressively. They’ve been linked to Japanese ace Tatsuya Imai. They’ve reportedly shown interest in Detroit’s Tarik Skubal and Miami’s Sandy Alcantara through trade discussions.
The injury situation transforms these conversations from luxury moves into necessities.
Rodon’s adaptability offers hope
The veteran showed remarkable adjustment skills during his All-Star campaign. His approach evolved significantly.
With diminished fastball velocity, Rodon reduced his heater usage from 49.4 percent in 2024 to 41.8 percent in 2025. He increased reliance on his slider and changeup while incorporating a sinker he threw 9.6 percent of the time.
“I had to learn to pitch a little more,” Rodon said. “I’m grateful for the staff around me, our training staff and everybody that had a part in that to get me through the year.”
His slider became nearly unhittable. Opponents managed just a .133 batting average against the pitch. It ranked as the third most valuable slider among all major league starters behind only Chris Sale and Jacob deGrom.
Stakes couldn’t be higher for Yankees
The Yankees face a brutal truth. Their rotation depth remains dangerously thin entering 2026.
Fried will anchor the staff. But after him, questions dominate every conversation.
When does Rodon return at full strength? Will Cole’s arm hold up after major surgery? Can Schlittler handle a full season workload? What happens if another injury strikes?
Rodon’s positive update provides some relief. The Yankees need him healthy and dominant to have any chance at a championship. Every week he misses puts more strain on an already fragile rotation.
The clock is ticking. Spring training approaches. And the Yankees still have major decisions to make about how they’ll fill the gaps their injured starters leave behind.
For Rodon, the journey continues. He won recognition off the field too this offseason. The Yankees pitcher was inducted into the North Carolina State Ring of Honor in November alongside Trea Turner. He will receive the Joan Payson Award for community service in January.
But the Yankees need his arm more than his awards. Three years remain on his $162 million contract. The organization invested heavily in his talent.
Now comes the payoff. If Rodon returns healthy and dominant, the Yankees rotation transforms from weakness into strength. If setbacks occur, the entire 2026 season hangs in uncertainty. The stakes for both player and franchise couldn’t be clearer.
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