The 2026 regular season is almost here for the New York Yankees, as they play their Opening Day game against the San Francisco Giants on March 25. The Yankees will certainly be looking to start the campaign on the right foot after having a tough finish to the postseason last year.
The Yankees are once again entering this season looking like one of the top teams in the league. While this is the case, they also have some notable injury trouble with the regular season almost here. Their top two starting pitchers, Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodon, are both still working on their recoveries.
Cole missed all of this past season after undergoing Tommy John surgery. However, he will be pitching in his first spring training game on Wednesday when the Yankees face the Boston Red Sox, as reported by the New York Post’s Joel Sherman. This is certainly good news for Cole.
However, there is also a new update provided on Rodon that is a bit less positive.
Yankees Unsure If Carlos Rodon Will Pitch a Game During Spring Training
While speaking to The Athletic’s Chris Kirschner, Yankees manager Aaron Boone provided a less-than-ideal update regarding Rodon. Boone shared that he is unsure if Rodon will pitch a game during spring training.
“Aaron Boone said he doesn’t know if Carlos Rodón will get into a game before spring training ends. He will throw another live batting practice this week,” Kirschner posted on X.
Rodon underwent elbow surgery back in October, so it would be beneficial if he could get into some spring training game action before the regular season is here. However, with this update from Boone, it is clear that this is not a guarantee at this time.
There is still some time for Rodon to pitch in a game during spring training, but the clock is certainly ticking. It will be interesting to see what happens on that front, but it will be based on how the star pitcher feels after throwing another live batting practice.
Yankees’ Rodon Is Expected to Return Fully in April
Boone also shared with Kirschner that he believes Rodon will be ready to pitch full-time again for the Yankees during April.
“I expect him back at some point in April,” Boone said to Kirschner.
While Rodon not pitching during spring training would be less than ideal, it is also good to hear that Rodon is at least expected to be good enough to return to action fully at some point next month. The Yankees need Rodon to be healthy, as he is one of their best pitchers. This is especially so when noting that the American League East is very competitive.
Rodon is coming off a strong 2025 season with the Yankees, too. In 33 games with the Yankees this past campaign, he had an 18-9 record, a 3.09 ERA, and 132 strikeouts. The 33-year-old lefty was also named an All-Star for the third time in his career due to his strong play.
With all of this, there is no question that the Yankees are looking forward to Rodon’s return.
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