Carlos Rodón is on the verge of returning to the New York Yankees rotation, with the left-handed pitcher scheduled to begin a rehab assignment on Saturday. This will be Rodón's first game appearance in nearly six weeks. He is expected to throw approximately 50 pitches for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone indicated that the team may not wait for Rodón to be fully stretched out before activating him, citing the remaining schedule which includes seven off-days and only one stretch of ten consecutive games. Boone suggested that Rodón might be used in tandem with another starter or heavily rely on the bullpen upon his return, a strategy the team previously employed with Max Fried.
Rodón has been sidelined since June 28 with left elbow inflammation. Following the diagnosis, he was shut down for a period, received a platelet-rich plasma injection, and has since been in a rehabilitation program. Prior to his injury, Rodón posted a 3.30 ERA in his first nine starts. He stated that his elbow no longer presents an issue and feels "normal." His season began late due to October surgery to remove loose bodies and shave a bone spur from the same elbow.
Last season, Rodón led the league with 33 starts, followed by two postseason appearances. The Yankees also reported that Anthony Volpe and Jasson Domínguez have joined the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre team. Volpe was in the lineup at shortstop, and Domínguez at left field, with expectations that Volpe may also see time at second base. The club is also looking forward to Old-Timers Day on Saturday, an event that will feature batting practice, an alumni game, and interactions between former Yankees legends and current players.