Carlos Rodón's journey back to the major leagues hit a rough patch Wednesday, as the Yankees left-hander surrendered six runs in what's likely his final rehab start for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Despite the rocky outing, manager Aaron Boone confirmed Rodón is on track to make his 2025 season debut this weekend against the Milwaukee Brewers.
Taking the mound before the Yankees opened a series with Texas, Rodón allowed five earned runs and seven hits over 6⅓ innings in a 7-6 loss to Worcester. The trouble started early, with Mickey Gasper taking Rodón's changeup deep for a two-run homer in the first inning. Kristian Campbell added a solo shot off a slider in the sixth. The lefty threw 83 pitches, striking out four and walking two, finishing his Triple-A stint with a 7.11 ERA across three starts.
Rodón opened the season on the 15-day injured list while recovering from October surgery to remove loose bodies and shave a bone spur in his left elbow. A late-March setback, when he felt tightness in his right hamstring during a throwing session in Florida, further delayed his return.
Signed to a six-year, $162 million contract in December 2022, Rodón has bounced back from an injury-plagued 2023 to win 34 games over the last two seasons. His debut against the Brewers would mark a significant step for a pitcher aiming to anchor the Yankees' rotation.
In a parallel storyline, Gerrit Cole also took the mound Wednesday, making his fourth minor league rehab start for High-A Hudson Valley. The 2023 AL Cy Young winner allowed six runs and seven hits over 4⅓ innings against Winston-Salem, surrendering solo homers to Caleb Bonemer and Kyle Lodise while striking out four on 69 pitches. Cole is recovering from reconstructive elbow surgery performed last March and isn't expected back until late May or early June. His last major league appearance came in Game 5 of the 2024 World Series against the Dodgers.
Anthony Volpe, also rehabbing in the same game, went 2-for-4 for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. The Yankees sent Volpe to Triple-A after his 20-day rehab window expired following October surgery to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder. Over 13 minor league games, the shortstop hit .250 with one home run and six RBIs.
As the Yankees navigate these returns, fans can look forward to a bolstered rotation and infield in the coming weeks—a promising sign for a team with championship aspirations.