Yankees consider bullpen shift as Rodon completes rehab start
Carlos Rodon threw 48 pitches for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, prompting manager Aaron Boone to evaluate a piggyback role given the depth of the current major league rotation.
New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone has indicated that the organisation is evaluating a potential shift in Carlos Rodon’s role upon his return to the major league roster, following the veteran pitcher’s first live game appearance since being sidelined with elbow inflammation. The decision comes as the Yankees navigate a crowded starting rotation, with Boone confirming that Rodon may be deployed in a piggyback capacity rather than as a traditional starter.
Rodon took the mound for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre against Rochester, pitching 2.2 innings and throwing 48 pitches, 29 of which were strikes. The outing was marked by early volatility and a strict adherence to a planned pitch count of approximately 50. Rodon was removed after the third inning, having struck out four batters while allowing three runs on three hits and two walks.
The start began with an inauspicious note, as Seaver King hit a home run to lead off the game. Rodon managed to stabilise the situation by retiring the next three batters to end the first inning. He followed this with a scoreless second inning before encountering significant trouble in the third. After striking out the first batter of the frame, Rodon allowed four consecutive baserunners, including a double, two walks, and a triple, as Rochester scored two additional runs. He then struck out his fourth batter to record the second out of the inning before being pulled.
Boone emphasised that the removal was part of a pre-determined plan rather than a reaction to performance struggles. The manager noted that once Rodon recovers well from this rehab start, the club will determine the next steps for the veteran. However, the structural reality of the major league roster suggests a change in usage. The Yankees’ current rotation already features five established starters: Gerrit Cole, Cam Schlittler, Max Fried, Ryan Weathers, and Will Warren.
Rodon’s return to the mound marks a significant milestone in his recovery from left elbow surgery, which caused him to miss the first two months of the season. He pitched nine starts before being shut down on June 28 with elbow inflammation, posting a 4-2 record with a 3.30 ERA and 52 strikeouts in 46.1 innings. The Yankees placed him on the injured list following the diagnosis, and this rehab assignment serves as a critical step in assessing his readiness for major league duties.
