The Yankees will have to wait a little while to develop their new ace.
Carlos Rodon will begin the season on the injured list with a mild strain in his left forearm, GM Brian Cashman told reporters Thursday at the Yankees’ spring complex in Tampa. Former general election no. 3 will be stopped from casting for 7-10 days.
“In a perfect world [Rodon returns] sometime in April,” Cashman said Thursday. “I’m glad our coaches jumped on it, I’m glad our coaches said something. The finding was something, but not significant or serious…
“If it was in season, pennant race, it would probably still be running. He had that last May with the Giants and he hasn’t missed a beat with it.”
Southpaw just did a spring appearance where he allowed five runs over two innings against the Braves on March 1st.
Rodon signed a six-year, $162 million deal with the Yanks last winter after back-to-back All-Star appearances in 2021 and 2022. The 30-year-old posted a 2.88 ERA in 31 starts with the Giants last season.
Early in his career, Rodon was plagued by injuries, including Tommy John surgery, which he underwent during the 2019 season. The hard-throwing lefty made just 41 combined starts from 2017-2020. Cashman understood the injury history of the new starters when he signed them to a long-term contract.
“He’s got risks, but I think that’s factored into the contract,” Cashman said at Rodon’s introductory press conference on Dec. 22. “Usually pitchers who perform the way he has the last two years, you’re probably looking at even more. [money]. I can’t deny that he has an injury history before the last two seasons.
“Certainly, the hope is that he has found his comfort zone in his professional career. I think Aaron [Boone] talked about the journey you’re on trying to navigate a 162-game season. There are a lot of different areas, from mechanics to intermediate starting routine as well as treatment levels.
“So certainly the hope and belief is that he’s found the right place here over the last couple of years.”
The Bombers have already brought down Frankie Montas like him had shoulder surgery on February 21. Suddenly, this opens the door for both Domingo German and Clarke Schmidt to start the season in the club’s starting rotation.
LOW RELIEF
Tommy Kannle and Lou Trivino will also join Rodon on the disabled list to start the season, Cashman said Thursday.
Kahnle — who signed a two-year, $11.5 million deal with the Bombers this offseason — is dealing with biceps tendinitis, while Trivino has a strained elbow ligament.
The Yankees’ pitching depth is already being tested with about three weeks until spring training.
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