Yankees' Aaron Boone Shares Carlos Rodon Injury Update Before Royals Game
The New York Yankees are coming off a 4–2 win over the Kansas City Royals and look to carry that momentum into their next game. Manager Aaron Boone shared encouraging news about left-hander Carlos Rodon, who is nearing a return to the rotation as ace Gerrit Cole begins his rehab assignment.
Both pitchers could be back in early to mid-May, according to MLB.com's Bryan Hoch. Rodon has been recovering from offseason elbow surgery to remove loose bodies and a bone spur following the 2025 season. Cole is rehabbing in the minor leagues after undergoing Tommy John surgery in March 2025, putting the Yankees in a position to regain two key arms soon and strengthen a rotation that has been tested early this season.
Aaron Boone said he still expects Carlos Rodón back before Gerrit Cole.
— Bryan Hoch (@BryanHoch) April 18, 2026
Rodón is scheduled to throw 55-60 pitches in live BP today, then likely to get into a game next time out.
Regaining two elite pitchers in Rodon and Cole would be a major boost for the Yankees, who need added depth to solidify their rotation. Before his injury, Rodon was dominant, making 33 starts last season with a 3.09 ERA, 1.049 WHIP, and 203 strikeouts over 195.1 innings, earning an All-Star selection. He relies on a powerful four-seam fastball that sits in the mid-to-upper 90s and a sharp, high-velocity slider widely considered one of the best in baseball.
Cole was equally impressive in 2023, posting a 2.63 ERA, 0.981 WHIP, and 222 strikeouts across 209 innings in 33 starts, numbers that earned him the AL Cy Young Award and an All-Star nod. He features a high-spin fastball in the 94–100 mph range, complemented by a devastating slider and curveball, along with a poised, commanding presence on the mound.
Rodon has developed into one of the league's elite pitchers over the course of his career. He was first drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 16th round of the 2011 MLB Draft out of Holly Springs High School in North Carolina, but did not sign. He was later selected third overall by the Chicago White Sox in the 2014 MLB Draft out of NC State. After battling injuries early in his career, Rodón re-signed with the White Sox in February 2021 on a one-year, $3 million deal following a non-tender.
A three-time All-Star, he has also received multiple Cy Young Award votes, with top-six finishes. He then signed a two-year, $44 million contract with the San Francisco Giants in March 2022, which included an opt-out after one season. In December 2022, Rodón agreed to a six-year, $162 million contract with the New York Yankees, including a full no-trade clause.
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This story was originally published April 18, 2026 at 10:41 AM.