NEW YORK — The New York Yankees will begin the 2026 MLB season without several key starters on the mound. Gerrit Cole remains out following Tommy John surgery. Clarke Schmidt is rehabbing from the same procedure. But Carlos Rodon? He just delivered some encouraging news.
The left-hander spoke at the New York Baseball Writers’ Gala on Saturday and gave fans reason for optimism. His recovery from elbow surgery is progressing smoothly. He could be back on the mound before either of his injured rotation mates.
Rodon details his rehab progress
Rodon underwent surgery in October to remove loose bodies and shave down a bone spur in his left elbow. The procedure came after he battled through the injury during his final starts of the season, including a difficult outing against the Blue Jays in the American League Division Series.
Before the surgery, Rodon’s range of motion was so limited he could not touch the top of his head. He could not even button his own shirt. That has changed dramatically.
“I’m great,” Rodon told Foul Territory. “I’ve been throwing a lot lately. Just trying to, I guess, lube up this elbow joint and get it going for the season. The surgeons took a lot of bones out, but it’s better now.”
The 33-year-old added that his elbow now has much more extension. He can perform basic tasks that were impossible just months ago.
“A lot more extension,” Rodon said. “I couldn’t really bend my elbow that very much. I couldn’t button my shirt before, so that was interesting. But now I can do that and touch my head.”
This rehab feels different from Tommy John
Rodon knows what a lengthy recovery looks like. He had Tommy John surgery in 2019 while pitching for the Chicago White Sox. That experience gave him perspective on his current situation.
“Tommy John can be definitely a lonely place because it’s such a long and monotonous rehab,” Rodon said. “You’re watching your boys play, and it’s 16 months, and you’re watching a whole season of baseball as a fan, doing whatever it is, flexor extension stuff or strengthening and all sorts of shoulder stuff, stability, and you’re just watching baseball. It can be a lonely journey.”
This time around, things are moving faster.
“This one’s a little different,” Rodon said. “A little elbow scope, and I got back to throwing fairly quickly, eight weeks. It doesn’t really feel like much of a rehab.”
Expected return timeline puts Rodon first in line
The Yankees expect Rodon to return in late April or sometime in May. That timeline puts him ahead of both Cole and Schmidt in the race back to the rotation.
Cole underwent Tommy John surgery in March 2025 and missed the entire season. He has been throwing bullpen sessions and ramping up his program. General manager Brian Cashman said Cole is targeted for a May or June return. The 2023 AL Cy Young winner turns 35 in September and has not pitched in a regular season game since battling elbow inflammation in 2024.
Schmidt faces an even longer road. He had Tommy John surgery in July after experiencing a torn ulnar collateral ligament. Manager Aaron Boone indicated Schmidt would not begin throwing again until December. The team hopes he can return sometime after the All-Star break, though his exact timeline remains uncertain.
“Obviously, I want to be prepared and ready to compete,” Rodon said of his own return.
Rodon coming off career-best season
The injury news comes after Rodon enjoyed his best campaign as a Yankee. He went 18-9 with a 3.09 ERA in 33 starts last season. He threw a career-high 195.1 innings and struck out 203 batters while walking 73. He finished sixth in AL Cy Young Award voting.
Rodon limited hitters to a .195 batting average. According to Baseball Savant, his 28 Pitching Run Value ranked in the 97th percentile. His fastball, breaking ball, and offspeed pitches all graded out in the 91st percentile or higher.
The three-time All-Star is in the fourth year of a six-year, $162 million contract with the Yankees. Getting him back healthy and performing at that level again will be crucial for a rotation dealing with significant uncertainty.
Yankees rotation depth faces early test
With Rodon, Cole and Schmidt all unavailable on Opening Day, the Yankees will lean heavily on their depth arms. Max Fried anchors the rotation as the team’s healthy ace. Cam Schlittler emerged as a reliable starter during his rookie campaign. Luis Gil and Will Warren provide additional options.
The team also acquired Ryan Weathers from the Miami Marlins this offseason. The left-hander told SNY he feels the best he has in over a year after adjusting his lifting patterns and mobility work.
The Yankees need to get through the first portion of the schedule without their full complement of starters. Rodon’s positive update suggests help is on the way sooner rather than later. His return before Cole and Schmidt would give the rotation a significant boost heading into the summer months.
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