Yankees Facing Major Carlos Rodón Decision

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Yankees Facing Major Carlos Rodón Decision

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Andrew Jamieson | Last updated Oct 7, 2026 11:06 AM ET

The New York Yankees must win three straight games against the Tampa Bay Rays to keep their season alive.

Max Fried is scheduled to start Game 3 on Wednesday as the ALDS shifts to New York, while Carlos Rodón is expected to start Game 4 if the Yankees avoid elimination.

However, the Yankees are keeping all options open regarding how they will use their pitching staff in Wednesday’s must-win game. This includes Rodón, as the 33-year-old could pitch as part of the Yankees’ all-hands-on-deck effort.

Carlos Rodón “Potentially” in Play to Come Out of Bullpen

On Tuesday, pitching coach Matt Blake revealed that Rodón could pitch out of the bullpen in Game 3 on Wednesday.

When asked whether New York would stay away from him, Blake said the decision was not yet final.

“Rodón’s one we got to talk to a little more,” Blake said. “Obviously, he’s lined up for Game 4, but does he come into play in an all-hands-on-deck situation, potentially.”

Matt Blake says Carlos Rodón could “potentially” be in play to come out of the bullpen in ALDS Game 3 and Gerrit Cole volunteered to pitch out of the bullpen yesterday in Game 2, but the Yankees weren’t looking to go that route pic.twitter.com/AceTIVFIR3
— SNY Yankees (@snyyankees) October 6, 2026

Additionally, Blake revealed that ALDS Game 1 starter Gerrit Cole offered to pitch out of the bullpen on Monday, but the Yankees chose not to use him.

Rodón has yet to pitch this postseason. Although he was limited to 16 regular-season starts because of offseason left elbow surgery and subsequent inflammation, Rodón was impressive when he was on the mound. He went 7-3 with a 2.67 ERA and 1.06 WHIP over 84.1 innings. He recorded 91 strikeouts against 38 walks and held opposing hitters to a .173 batting average.

Notably, Rodón’s lone regular-season start against the Rays, which was also his most recent outing, was his best of 2026. He tossed eight scoreless innings, allowing just three hits while striking out eight and walking none.

Despite that dominant outing, Rodón’s postseason track record with New York offers room for improvement.

Carlos Rodon twirls an absolute GEM vs. the Rays

8.0 IP | 3 H | 0 R | 0 BB | 8 K’s

This outing is tied for the longest of Rodon’s Yankee tenure! pic.twitter.com/lsPDLHmqxe
— Just Baseball (@JustBB_Media) September 22, 2026

Over two starts last postseason, he posted a 9.72 ERA and 1.80 WHIP over 8.1 innings. In four playoff starts in 2024, Rodón went 1-2 with a 5.60 ERA and 1.25 WHIP over 17.2 innings. The home run ball was especially damaging, as the southpaw allowed five home runs.

Perhaps Rodón’s postseason struggles have kept him out of the 2026 playoffs so far. However, any Yankee pitcher could be used out of the bullpen in Wednesday’s win-or-go-home Game 3, including Rodón.

Notably, Rodón has never pitched out of the bullpen since joining New York in 2023. All six of his career relief appearances came with the Chicago White Sox, including one during the 2020 postseason.

Still, Rodón remains a key arm for the Yankees. Not having him pitch at all during the ALDS would be a grave mistake. That reality could force New York to use him if they have no other option to save their season.

Game 3 between the Yankees and Rays begins Wednesday at 8:00 p.m. ET.