Yankees injury report: Carlos Rodon, Ben Rice injury updates: When will MLB baseball stars return for New York Yankees starting lineup?
“It doesn’t look like he’s going to be an IL. Again, if it doesn’t get to a point where he’s playable then of course we’re going to have that conversation. But it looks like it’s going to be every day,” Boone said. “I know he’s feeling better today. Hopefully he can do some things and maybe even be available on some level, but we’ll see.”
Paul Goldschmidt again started at first base against Texas Rangers right-hander Nathan Eovaldi. Rice, a left-handed hitter, batted .343 with 12 homers and 27 RBIs and led the majors in on-base percentage (.455), slugging percentage (.759) and OPS (1.214).
Rodón has been sidelined all season while recovering from surgery to remove loose debris and shave a bone spur from his left elbow on October 15. He also suffered a setback in late March when he felt tightness in his right hamstring while pitching at the Yankees complex in Florida.
The three-time All-Star began his third minor league rehab on Tuesday and allowed six runs (five earned) and seven hits in 6 1/3 innings for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. He struck out four, walked two and struck out 83 against Worcester of the Boston Red Sox.
“I think the last few times he felt ready to go,” Boone said. “We think he’s ready to go. We think he’s throwing the ball well. He’s starting to control his stuff well.”
Rodón will slide into the rotation spot recently occupied by rookie Elmer Rodríguez, who went 0-1 with a 5.19 ERA in 8 2/3 innings in his first two major league starts, both against Texas. The 22-year-old right-hander had the option of returning to Triple-A following Tuesday night’s game at Yankee Stadium.
“I think it was a lot of value for him to get out here. Get a few starts, get a feel for the situation, get a little adversity every outing. I thought he handled that adversity pretty well. I don’t think he did his best,” Boone said. “I’m proud of his toughness. I think it’s been a great experience for him. So come down and keep going and be an option if we need someone.”
New York added a bullpen arm to replace Rodríguez and recalled right-hander Yerry de los Santos from Triple-A before Wednesday night’s game against the Rangers.
Yankees star Gerrit Cole began his fourth minor league rehab on Tuesday as he returns from Tommy John surgery that sidelined him for the entire 2025 season.
The right-hander gave up six runs and seven hits while striking out 69 in 4 1/3 innings against Winston-Salem for High-A Hudson Valley. He struck out four and allowed solo homers by Caleb Bonemer and Kyle Lodise.
“He’s filling up the strike zone, getting up to speeds of about 98 and 99 mph. I think some good things happened yesterday,” Boone said. “He’s been hit a few times, which isn’t a bad thing. I think he’s working on different things each time. I really like where he’s at. I watched him and Carlos’ trip again. I think they’re both where they need to be right now and I’m looking forward to him continuing to move forward to get closer to coming back to us.”
Cole is expected to pitch two or three more times in the minors before making his first major league appearance since Game 5 of the 2024 World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Yankees have targeted the 2023 AL Cy Young Award winner’s return in late May or early June.
“There will be at least a few more. Then we’ll see,” Boone said.
Yankees starters started the day with a 2.77 ERA, best in the major leagues. New York entered the American League with the best record at 25-11 but was just one game ahead of second-place Tampa Bay in the AL East.
