Carlos Rodon to begin season on IL, newest hit to Yankees rotation

Yankees left-hander Carlos Rodon will begin the season on the injured listing, the most recent blow to New York’s beginning rotation earlier than Opening Day.

Yankees basic supervisor Brian Cashman introduced Thursday that Rodon, the franchise’s prize free agent pitching signing, has a left forearm pressure and won’t throw for seven to 10 days earlier than being reevaluated.

“In a perfect world, he’s back sometime in April,” Cashman mentioned.

Cashman mentioned the damage was “something, but not significant or serious,” and famous that there isn’t any ulnar collateral ligament harm to Rodon’s elbow.

The Yankees made a major funding in Rodon this offseason, agreeing to a six-year, $162 million deal in an try to strengthen their rotation. Rodon made his spring debut for the Yankees on Sunday, permitting 5 runs on six hits — together with two house runs — and a stroll whereas placing out two over two-plus innings.

Rodon beforehand underwent Tommy John surgical procedure in 2019 and missed video games into the pandemic-shortened 2020 season as effectively. The 2022 season marked simply the second yr of Rodon’s profession by which he pitched greater than 140 innings, with the primary coming in 2016.

When wholesome, Rodon has been probably the greatest pitchers in baseball, posting a 2.67 ERA, 2.42 FIP and 0.998 WHIP over the previous two seasons.

The damage offers a major blow to an already short-handed Yankees rotation. Right-hander Frankie Montas underwent proper labrum cleanup surgical procedure final month and is anticipated to overlook a major stretch of the 2023 season.

Yankees relievers Tommy Kahnle (biceps tendinitis) and Lou Trivino (elbow sprain) additionally will begin the season on the injured listing.