As the MLB season passes the quarter pole, the New York Yankees are in great position.
The Bronx Bombers are running neck and neck with the division-rival Tampa Bay Rays for the American League’s best record. The league’s next-best team, the Athletics, are 4.5 games back of the AL East duo.
Unfortunately, though, the Yankees have hit a rough patch. After Saturday’s extra-inning loss to the Milwaukee Brewers, New York has dropped three of its last four games.
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So it’s an opportune time for a shot in the arm. That comes in the form of starting pitcher Carlos Rodon, who returns to action on Sunday in the series finale against the Brewers. Rodon underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left elbow in October.
‘I know I can still do this’
“I’m going to go out there and compete,” Rodón said, per MLB.com. “I’m not really hanging my hat on seeing if I can still do this. I know I can still do this.”
Rodon led the American League with 33 starts in 2025. He went 18-9 with a 3.05 ERA and 203 strikeouts in 195 1/3 innings. Rodon finished sixth in AL Cy Young voting. He made two postseason starts, but they didn’t go well. He turned in a 9.72 ERA in 8 1/3 total innings.
Rodon made three rehab starts after hamstring tightness in late March slowed his comeback.
“I’m sure I’ll be on some sort of pitch count, but I’m not even going to ask,” Rodón said, per the New York Post. “I’m just going to go until they take me out.”
The Yankees’ rotation has been strong even without Rodon and ace Gerrit Cole, who is expected back from Tommy John surgery late this month. The rotation, led by Max Fried and Cam Schlittler, owns an MLB-best 3.01 ERA.
New York and Milwaukee square off at 2:10 p.m. ET Sunday in Milwaukee.
