Rodon Faces Setback: Yankees Star Pitcher's Return Delayed

The New York Yankees, already boasting a strong rotation, were hoping for Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodon to return by late April or early May. While Cole is progressing without setbacks, Rodon has encountered a setback. Manager Aaron Boone confirmed Rodon felt right hamstring tightness during his throwing program.

The uncertainty surrounding the severity of the injury forces fans to await a more detailed update on the pitcher's status. Yankees insider Bryan Hoch posted the news on X (formerly Twitter).

Rodon underwent elbow surgery in October to remove bone spurs and loose bodies, and began experiencing symptoms in the postseason, after a standout regular season with a 3.09 ERA and 203 strikeouts. The team's patience with his recovery was notable, and there was hope he could be ready in three or four weeks. Now, a return in April seems less likely, regardless of the extent of the hamstring issue.

Rodon threw a 50-pitch live batting practice session on Sunday, according to multiple reports. It's unclear if the new injury occurred then or if it popped up on Tuesday. In any case, a more detailed update is expected soon. The Yankees' pitching staff is doing just fine without Rodon, with Max Fried, Cam Schlittler, Will Warren, and Ryan Weathers all pitching well in their first turn. They also have Ryan Yarbrough and Paul Blackburn as long men in their bullpen, and Luis Gil preparing to rejoin the rotation in a couple of weeks, perhaps even sooner. Rookies Elmer Rodríguez and Carlos Lagrange remain options to reinforce the team if need be.

Despite the aforementioned organizational depth, Rodon contributes swing-and-miss stuff and experience that aren't easily replaced over the long haul. At his best, he can be one of the best hurlers in the American League, and the Yankees, and fans, know it. The Yankees still need him back healthy and in one piece to reach their full potential, and they are now at the mercy of his hamstring. Again, it doesn’t sound like a major problem, but fans will have to pay close attention to updates throughout the week.