New York Yankees starting pitcher Carlos Rodon Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

While Rays set blistering pace, Yankees battle injury bug

By Josh Keslinger | Last updated 4/13/23

Only 12 games into the season the Yankees (8-4) find themselves thin on starting pitching and staring up at the red-hot Tampa Bay Rays.

Left-hander Carlos Rodón, who signed a six-year, $162 million contract in the offseason, has yet to make his Yankees debut due to a left arm injury. The Yankees recently announced that he suffered a setback in his rehab due to back tightness.

Carlos Rodon had his live BP session delayed by back stiffness, but Aaron Boone said he is scheduled to throw a bullpen tomorrow and then throw live on Friday if all goes well. TBD whether he’d start a rehab assignment after that.
— Greg Joyce (@GJoyce9) April 11, 2023

Luis Severino has struggled with injuries over the past few years, and that's been no different this season. Severino is rehabbing a strained lat and has yet to make his debut this season as well.

The Bronx Bombers are also dealing with injuries to third baseman Josh Donaldson, pitcher Frankie Montas, pitcher Lou Trivino and outfielder Harrison Bader. Infielder DJ LeMahieu is considered day-to-day with quad tightness.

Until they get their starters back, New York will pitch struggling Clarke Schmidt. In three games, he has an 8.44 ERA with 11 strikeouts and five walks. Domingo Germán hasn't been much better with a 5.87 ERA in two starts.

Meanwhile, the Tampa Bay Rays (12-0) are off to a blistering start. They have a team ERA of 2.17 and are scoring 7.7 runs per game.

While the Yankees and Rays have yet to play one another, it's clear Tampa Bay is a force in the AL East.

The Yankees are off to a nice start with a 4-0 series record, but their pitching must improve and players must stay healthy for them to make their seventh straight postseason appearance.

The injury bug has hit the Yankees over the past several seasons. New York even overhauled its training staff in 2020 after setting a record for most IL trips in a season.

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