How long is Carlos Rodon out? Injury timeline, return date, latest updates on Yankees starter
The Yankees’ rotation will be shorthanded as the 2023 season begins, with offseason’s Carlos Rodón and holdovers Luis Severino and Frankie Montas on the injury list earlier in the year.
Montas is expected to miss most of the season; the other two are expected back sooner.
Rodón’s injury is a huge blow to the Yankees. He is expected to be the No. 2 starter behind ace Gerrit Cole. The left-hander posted a 14-8 record and 2.88 ERA with the Giants last season and made his second straight All-Star Game appearance.
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Rodón is struggling with a forearm strain he sustained in spring training but the injury is unlikely to keep him out for long.
He hosted a bullpen session on Monday with about 30 pitches, MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch reported. Hoch also reported that Rodón will remain in Florida while the team travels to New York for Thursday’s season opener against the Giants.
Carlos Rodon injury schedule
Rodón made just one appearance in spring training, giving up five carries and six hits in two innings against the Braves on March 5. It was shut down a few days later when he was diagnosed with a muscle strain in his left forearm.
The Yankees are silent on the pitcher’s status, but he’s back to throwing bullpen sessions.
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“Overall it feels like he’s in a strong spot now and whatever he had in his forearm is dissolving, which is good to see,” Yankees pitching coach Matt Blake said, per The New York Post.
The next step for Rodón will be to face off against live hitters. Expect the Yankees to make sure their $162 million man is fully healthy before he returns to action.
When could Carlos Rodon return from injury?
Rodón’s schedule is unclear but he will start the season on the injured list.
When Rodon was initially injured, Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said the left-hander was resting and “pushing him back to April, time to be determined,” per ESPN. The initial concern was that Rodon had sustained ulnar collateral ligament damage. Rodón was operated on by Tommy John in 2019.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone believes Rodón should return in April, according to Empire Sports Media.
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Carlos Rodon injury history
The Yankees knew when they signed Rodón that injuries were a risk factor — he’s battled them throughout his MLB career.
2016: Wrist sprain
The White Sox place Rodón on the IL with a sprained wrist after he tripped on the dugout steps while attempting to join the team on the field for the national anthem.
2017: Biceps bursitis, shoulder inflammation
The White Sox only get 12 games from Rodón for the season because of the two injuries.
2018: Shoulder inflammation
Rodón’s inflammation continues into this season. He opens the year with the 60-day IL after arthroscopic surgery. He returns in June and plays most of the rest of the season.
2019: Tommy John surgery
Rodón will have surgery in June after being Chicago’s Opening Day starter. He would return to the Hill in 2020.
2020: Shoulder pain
Rodon is limited to four games in the truncated season due to shoulder pain. He spends seven weeks on the IL, from early August to late September.
Since then, Rodón has been mostly healthy as evidenced by back-to-back All-Star beds. Because of that, the Yankees felt comfortable signing him to a six-year, nine-figure deal.