Carlos Rodón’s long-awaited debut with the New York Yankees is just around the corner.
After signing a lucrative six-year, $162 million contract as a free agent in the offseason, the left-handed pitcher has been sidelined by injuries.
However, Rodón’s recent success in his minor-league rehab starts has the Yankees hopeful for his return.
In his third rehab start on Saturday for High-A Hudson Valley, Rodón showcased his talent, striking out eight batters and not allowing a single run in 3 2/3 innings.
Impressed by his performance, the Yankees are now eyeing Friday as the target date for Rodón’s first start of the season in the major leagues.
Greg Joyce of the New York Post reports that the Yankees anticipate Rodón taking the mound against the Chicago Cubs at home.
The 30-year-old southpaw initially suffered a forearm strain during spring training. As he worked towards recovery, Rodón faced an additional setback with a back issue, further delaying his return to the field.
Despite his injury concerns, Rodón has proven himself as a dominant pitcher, boasting an impressive 2.67 ERA and 4.80 K/BB ratio over the last two seasons with the White Sox and Giants.
The Yankees rotation has been in need of reinforcement, especially with Nestor Cortes currently unavailable.
However, the team’s more pressing concern lies with their struggling lineup. The absence of reigning American League MVP Aaron Judge, who has been sidelined since early June due to a serious toe injury, has significantly impacted the team’s offensive production.
While Judge’s return timetable remains uncertain, Rodón’s exceptional ability to prevent runs should provide a much-needed boost to the Yankees struggling offense.