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

Yankees get brutal injury news on thinning starting rotation

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated 3/10/23

New York Yankees offseason acquisition Carlos Rodon will start the regular season on the injured list, according to general manager Brian Cashman, leaving the team's starting rotation with another question mark.

Relievers Tommy Kahnle and Lou Trivino will also open the 2023 campaign on the IL, according to Cashman. The GM added that Rodon's injury is "not serious."

Rodon, who signed a six-year, $162 million deal with the Yankees in December after his second straight All-Star season, was expected to begin this spring as New York's No. 2 starter behind ace Gerrit Cole. Kahnle and Trivino are two of the key pieces of the Yankees' bridge to 2022 All-Star closer Clay Holmes.

Kahnle has been limited to 14 games combined in the last three seasons, 13 of which came in 2022.

Carlos Rodon will begin the season on the IL with a left forearm strain, Brian Cashman said.
— Bryan Hoch (@BryanHoch) March 9, 2023

Brian Cashman said that “in a perfect world” Carlos Rodon could return sometime in April.
— Bryan Hoch (@BryanHoch) March 9, 2023

#Yankees GM Brian Cashman expands on the Carlos Rodon injury, describes it as something that is “not serious.” Said Rodon went through this last year and did not miss any time. pic.twitter.com/AAvAia0CSU
— Marly Rivera (@MarlyRiveraESPN) March 9, 2023

The news on Rodon, Kahnle and Trivino comes after a positive update from breakout 2022 All-Star lefty Nestor Cortes but also in the wake of some not so good news on fellow starting pitcher Frankie Montas, who is expected to miss much of the season.

Yankees will have four pitchers on the IL to begin the season, and it's only March 9:

Carlos Rodón (forearm strain)
Frankie Montas (shoulder surgery)
Lou Trivino (elbow ligament strain)
Tommy Kahnle (bicep tendinitis)
— Chris Kirschner (@ChrisKirschner) March 9, 2023

With Rodon and Montas sidelined and Cortes still recovering, that much more pressure will be on Cole at the head of the rotation.

Perhaps the Yankees will continue living up to their "Bronx Bombers" nickname and simply be able to out-slug their opponents while their starters get healthier. With AL single-season home run king Aaron Judge back for more mashing in 2023, it may be possible.

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