Yankees in frantic search for rotation help after Rodon surgery, but limits loom

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NEW YORK — The Yankees’ offseason plans have taken a sudden and unwanted detour. Last week, the team revealed that left-hander Carlos Rodon underwent elbow surgery, leaving the front office scrambling to find pitching reinforcements before spring training.

The procedure involved removing loose bodies and shaving down a bone spur, requiring an estimated eight-week throwing shutdown. General manager Brian Cashman confirmed that Rodon will miss Opening Day, with the Yankees hoping for his return sometime in April or early May.

For a franchise that entered the winter expecting its rotation to be one of the team’s biggest strengths, the news has thrown the Yankees into an unexpected bind. What was once a position of depth now looks thin, forcing the club to reassess its offseason strategy and financial flexibility.

Yankees rotation suddenly thin at the top

Rodon’s surgery leaves the Yankees in a difficult position. Ace Gerrit Cole is still recovering from Tommy John surgery and will not be available for Opening Day. Clarke Schmidt, who underwent his own UCL procedure, isn’t expected to return until the second half of the season.

That leaves only four healthy starters at the moment — Max Fried, Cam Schlittler, Will Warren, and Luis Gil. Each comes with his own uncertainty. Fried, Schlittler, and Warren all logged career-high innings last season, while Gil missed four months with a lat strain.

In a division where the Blue Jays and other American League East rivals continue to add to their pitching depth, the Yankees’ vulnerability is now glaring. Toronto’s aggressive offseason approach has already increased the pressure on New York to respond quickly and decisively.

“I don’t know what this means to where we put our remaining resources in and how we reinforce,” Cashman said Thursday during his end-of-season news conference. “Do we have enough from within? Do we have to go outside to augment? You never can have enough pitching. The good thing is he’s coming back, so I have to make sure there’s room on the roster when he does.”

For now, the Yankees are tasked with keeping at least two rotation spots warm until Cole and Rodon are ready. Both could return by May if their recovery timelines stay on track, though the unpredictable nature of injuries means there are no guarantees.

Internal Yankees options gaining consideration

The Yankees expect to enter spring training with more upper-level pitching depth than last season. Will Warren proved a critical arm in 2025, making a league-high 32 starts and sparing the team from frequent emergency callups.

Ryan Yarbrough also emerged as a key contributor. The left-handed swingman provided a stabilizing stretch between May and June before his own injury setback. His ability to move seamlessly between starting and relieving could make him an appealing re-signing option for the Yankees this winter.

Right-hander Allan Winans, who filled in for spot starts during injuries, remains on the 40-man roster but is out of minor league options next season. That limits roster flexibility and increases the likelihood that the Yankees must carry him on the Opening Day roster or risk losing him.

The organization also has several pitching prospects close to big-league readiness. Among them, 27-year-old right-hander Brendan Beck stands out. Drafted out of Stanford in 2021, Beck overcame Tommy John surgery to post a 3.36 ERA across 26 outings and 131 1/3 innings between Double-A and Triple-A in 2025. The Yankees must add him to the 40-man roster this offseason to avoid losing him in the Rule 5 draft.

Another name drawing internal attention is Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz, one of the Yankees’ most promising young arms. The 22-year-old righty capped his season with a start in Triple-A after dominating across High-A and Double-A, where he posted a 2.42 ERA with 173 strikeouts over 145 innings in 26 appearances.

Carlos Lagrange, another high-upside arm, brings elite velocity but remains a work in progress. The 22-year-old struck out 168 batters across 120 innings in 24 games between High-A and Double-A, finishing with a 3.53 ERA. His improved command this year offers hope, but inconsistencies still suggest a possible long-term bullpen role.

Free agent market looms large, but expectations low

Despite the internal options, the Yankees will inevitably explore the free agent market. Cashman’s comments, however, indicate that the organization is unlikely to chase a top-tier starter given Rodon’s projected return timeline.

Short-term contracts or stopgap solutions make the most sense — veteran arms capable of eating innings and bridging the gap until Cole and Rodon return. Flexibility and reliability will be more important than star power.

But the market may not be forgiving. Every contender is searching for pitching, and the demand for depth arms will drive prices up. The Blue Jays and other AL East contenders have already made notable moves, heightening the urgency for New York to act before options dry up.

Budget constraints add another layer of difficulty. The Yankees already made significant financial commitments this offseason, tightening their spending room. Acquiring multiple arms without exceeding payroll thresholds will require creativity — possibly short-term deals, incentive-laden contracts, or even trades for undervalued arms coming off injuries.

Time running for Yankees short before spring training

With spring training less than four months away, the Yankees’ margin for error is small. Decisions must be made soon, whether to rely on in-house solutions or pursue free agent reinforcements.

Prospects who could compete for a rotation role must be invited to major league camp early to build innings and develop chemistry with the staff. Free agents, meanwhile, need time to adjust to new coaching and systems before the season begins.

The Yankees front office faces a delicate balance. Acting too cautiously risks starting the season underpowered. Moving too aggressively could cause roster congestion once Cole and Rodon are healthy.

Cashman acknowledged this challenge, emphasizing that the Yankees must weigh short-term needs against long-term roster construction. “We have to be smart,” he said. “We’ll be getting some big pieces back, but until then, we need to cover those innings and stay competitive.”

What was once a position of strength has quickly become a concern. The Yankees expected rotation depth to carry them through 2026, yet the injuries to Cole, Rodon, and Schmidt now threaten to reshape the entire outlook of their season.

For now, the search for answers has begun — and with time ticking toward February, the Yankees must decide whether help will come from within or from outside the organization.

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