Yankees Announce Carlos Rodon News After 25 Missed Games

The majors took notice of his performance, with the Milwaukee Brewers drafting Rodón in the 16th round of the 2011 MLB Draft out of high school. Instead of signing with the Brewers, the 6-foot-2 left-hander chose to attend North Carolina State. Rodón was sensational in his freshman season with the Wolfpack, finishing with a 9-0 record, 1.57 ERA and 135 strikeouts in 114.2 innings. He was added to the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team as a freshman.

After spending three seasons in Raleigh, Rodón was drafted by the White Sox in 2014. He stayed in Chicago for seven years, dealing with a variety of injuries, especially toward the end of his tenure. After the 2021 season, Rodón left the Windy City for the West Coast, signing with the San Francisco Giants on a short-term deal (two years, $44 million) in an attempt to shore up his injury-prone image.

For a pitcher who faced multiple injuries early in his career, showing he could have sustained success to prove he was worthy of a long-term, big-money deal was an admirable bet on himself and his talent. Rodón did just that and more in his 2022 season with the Giants. He set personal records for games played (31), wins (14), WAR (5.4), innings pitched (178.0) and strikeouts (237), and he even led MLB in strikeouts per nine innings (11.98).

Rodón won the bet on himself and was recognized for his play with a sixth-place finish in NL Cy Young Award voting and rewarded with a six-year, $162 million contract from the New York Yankees. He struggled in his first season in the Big Apple, dealing with a back injury that caused a dip in his performance.

Between the bright lights of New York City and 162 million reasons for additional media spotlight, Rodón was once again faced with the pressure of expectation. Once again, the Cuban American proved his mental fortitude, rebounding better than ever. Rodón set a personal best in games played and wins in 2024 (16 wins in 32 starts) before besting himself again in 2025 (18 wins in 33 starts). He was invited to his third All-Star Game and finished sixth in AL Cy Young voting in 2025.

With tools such as a high-velocity four-seam fastball and a sharp breaking slider in his tool belt, Rodón has spent his career showing the league who he is. The only active pitchers Rodón’s age or younger with more strikeouts than him are the Toronto Blue Jays’ José Berríos (31, 1,481 strikeouts), the Philadelphia Phillies’ Aaron Nola (32, 1,905) and Los Angeles Dodgers starter Blake Snell (1,440).

Last October, after the Yankees were eliminated from playoff contention, Rodón underwent successful surgery on his throwing shoulder. The procedure was done to clean up any loose bodies and shave a bone spur in his left elbow. As Rodón was ramping up for the 2026 MLB regular season, he suffered a hamstring injury. The setback in his rehabilitation process put his recovery timetable in flux, as hamstring injuries are notoriously touch-and-go.

The timetable has become more certain now, as on Friday the Yankees announced Rodón’s status. In a social media post on X, New York announced that the three-time All-Star will make a rehab return in the minor leagues. Rodón will begin his rehab assignment with the Hudson Valley Renegades, the Yankees’ High-A affiliate. He once again has the opportunity to do what he has always done: grow stronger in the face of adversity and overcome injury.

“Today,” the Yankees began, “LHP Carlos Rodón commences a rehab assignment with High-A Hudson Valley.”

Rodon will be 35 years old when his contract expires with the Yankees after the 2028 season.