Yankees officially reinstate ace from injured list for Friday debut

The New York Yankees made a series of roster moves Friday, reinstating left-hander Carlos Rodón from the 60-day injured list and recalling outfielder Franchy Cordero. To clear two active roster spots, righty Deivi García was optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and outfielder Jake Bauers was placed on the 10-day injured list. Bauers’ placement, retroactive to July 6, is due to a left rotator cuff contusion. In order to open a spot on the 40-man roster for Rodón, lefty Nestor Cortes was transferred to the 60-day injured list.

Rodón will take the mound Friday against the Cubs. It’s his long-awaited Yankee debut. The two-time All-Star signed a six-year, $162M free-agent contract over the winter. He and Gerrit Cole were expected to pair as co-aces atop the starting staff. That has taken longer than anticipated, as Rodón battled a forearm strain in spring training and has dealt with back discomfort over the past couple months.

The star southpaw has made three minor league rehab starts, tossing 10 2/3 frames of one-run ball. He threw 58 pitches in his final rehab outing last Saturday. The Yankees will surely be cautious with his workload Friday and coming out of the All-Star Break, but they’ll finally get their first glimpse of he and Cole as a one-two punch.

Cortes was expected to be a key part of the rotation, himself. The southpaw has struggled to a 5.16 ERA over 11 appearances after consecutive sub-3.00 seasons in 2021-22. Cortes then landed on the injured list, retroactive to June 5, after straining his left rotator cuff.

The 60-day minimum backdates to his original IL placement. Cortes is now officially out into the first week of August. It appears he could be back around when first eligible. Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News noted earlier this week (on Twitter) that Cortes got through a 25-pitch bullpen session without issue and is expected to throw live batting practice on Sunday.

As for Bauers, he’ll be out at least through next weekend. The left-handed hitter has filled in reasonably well since being called upon in late April. Over 154 plate appearances, he is hitting .224/.312/.470 with seven home runs.