The New York Yankees dropped a major hint about when we could see Carlos Rodon take the mound in pinstripes for the first time ever.
2023 has not exactly gone to plan for the New York Yankees. At 46-37, they're sitting at third place in one of the toughest divisions in baseball. Individually, players haven't panned out, like a slump that Anthony Volpe had to eat some magic chicken parmesan to get out of.
Also, Carlos Rodon, the offseason's big outside addition, hasn't even played a single game. Rodon has been on the injured list for virtually the entire season.
His return, though, seems to be coming up. After a high-quality one-hit start in the minor leagues leading to a standing ovation, Rodon should be in the big leagues soon enough.
The Yankees have dropped the ultimate hint, teasing his first start in pinstripes.
Yankees probable starter list has one Rodon-sized hole, but Brito is more likely
Bryan Hoch passed along the probable starters for the next few days for the guys in pinstripes.
Monday is Domingo German. Tuesday? Clarke Schmidt. No surprises yet.
Wednesday is a big ol' TBD, however.
I see only a few possibilities in that TBD slot. One is that the Yankees run a bullpen session to try to give its starters some relief in the middle of the week. After a forced doubleheader on Saturday, maybe that tracks. But probably not.
Jhony Brito could sub in there, who has been bussed up and down between the major and minor leagues this season. He is the most likely option.
Then, there's Nestor Cortes, but Cortes has only thrown bullpen sessions thus far. His timeline still is late July.
The most optimistic name to pencil in is Carlos Rodon. Greg Joyce said that Rodon is expected to start Friday, but perhaps he will get advanced in the rotation? By that point, Rodon will be three full days of rest out of his rehab start. The Yankees would love to get him a full five, surely, before his first start, to make sure he's set up for success.
Ultimately, there's no point in rushing things with Rodon. Don't expect to see him until Friday at home against the Cubs.
