Carlos Rodon, the veteran lefty, is finally set to be activated Tuesday in Baltimore, and it’s about time for the Yankees. This guy’s return is huge, bolstering a rotation that’s already doing heavy lifting, but it also shines a spotlight on just how much pressure is on their arms to keep them afloat. Will Warren, who was slated to start the series opener against the Orioles, now has his spot up in the air, a tough break for anyone, but a clear sign of what Rodon means to this staff.
Rodon’s Rocky Road Back to the Mound
Rodon’s 2026 has been a bumpy one, no doubt about it. The 33-year-old hasn’t seen big-league action since June 28, sidelined by left elbow inflammation. Before that, his whole season was delayed until May 10 as he recovered from an October procedure to clear out loose bodies and a bone spur near that same left elbow. When he was on the mound, though, Rodon showed flashes, posting a 4-2 record with a 3.30 ERA in his nine starts before this latest issue. His last rehab start was last Friday at Class AA Somerset, and he looked sharp: 4.1 scoreless innings on 58 pitches, giving up just two hits and one walk while striking out seven. You love to see it. Still, don’t expect him to go deep right away. He’ll likely be on a tight leash, probably limited to around 65-70 pitches against an Orioles team currently holding down the final AL wild card spot. That’s a high-stakes return! If he struggles or needs relief, Warren could be standing by for a “hook-and-ladder” situation, even though the Yanks do have a fresh bullpen thanks to Monday’s off day.
Pitching’s Heavy Load and the Hitting Problem
Rodon steps back into what is legitimately one of the best rotations in the game, joining Cam Schlittler, Gerrit Cole, Max Fried, and the red-hot Ryan Weathers. Weathers, man, he’s been lights out, effectively ending any chatter about him or Warren getting bumped to the bullpen. He’s rocking a ridiculous 0.85 ERA over his last five starts, including a fantastic seven-inning, one-run no-decision in an important extra-inning win up in Toronto. These guys are pitching their hearts out, and the numbers don’t lie: the Yankees’ pitching staff leads MLB with a phenomenal 3.26 ERA. But here’s the brutal truth: they’ve had to be this good because the offense has been in a daily struggle for runs since mid-June. Losing Aaron Judge, out since May 31 with a rib fracture, has been a killer, and it underscores the monumental task this pitching staff faces. Rodon summed it up perfectly last Friday, telling reporters, “It’d be nice to have us all pitch together, finally. You know those guys are tremendous, and they’ve been great.” He added, “Whenever my name gets called, I’ll be ready and it’ll be good to be back.”
With a makeup doubleheader against Boston looming on August 29, where both Rodon and Warren could be lined up to start, the Yankees desperately need Rodon to be “ready.” His return is a massive boost, but the big question remains: can the bats give these incredible pitchers the support they deserve?
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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