New York Yankees pitcher Carlos Rodón is scheduled to make his second minor league rehabilitation start Thursday night for Double-A Somerset, according to reports from the Associated Press. Rodón has been on the 15-day injured list since July 3 due to left elbow inflammation, an issue that sidelined him following an initial recovery from offseason surgery.
### Rodón’s Rehab Progression and Rotation Return
Rodón landed on the injured list on July 3, subsequently receiving multiple medical treatments including platelet-rich plasma injections to address left elbow inflammation. During his first minor league rehabilitation outing last Saturday for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre against Rochester, the left-hander threw 29 of 48 pitches for strikes, allowing three runs and three hits over 2 2/3 innings with four strikeouts and two walks, as reported by the Associated Press.
According to New York manager Aaron Boone, Rodón could rejoin the major league club in a piggyback situation with another starter upon his activation. This approach mirrors the team’s handling of Max Fried’s return from a bruised left elbow on July 22. When Rodón returns, he steps back into a starting rotation that currently features Cam Schlittler, Gerrit Cole, Will Warren, and Ryan Weathers. In his fourth season of a $162 million, six-year contract, Rodón holds a 4-2 record with a 3.30 ERA across nine starts this year. His season began late as he recovered from an October 15 surgery to remove loose bodies and shave a bone spur in his left elbow, followed by a late-March hamstring setback in Florida. Last season, he posted an 18-9 record with a 3.09 ERA.
### Injury Updates on Bellinger, Stanton, and Judge
The Yankees are managing several other significant roster absences across their lineup and bullpen. All-star left fielder Cody Bellinger is nearing a return from a left hamstring strain that has kept him out of the lineup since July 26, according to Boone. Bellinger has been hitting and performing outfield work, reaching over 90% of his normal top speed during running drills.
“He’s running really well,” Boone said, noting that Bellinger still experiences slight tightness in certain positions as intensity ramps up.
Designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton, sidelined since April 25 due to a right calf strain, recently ran the bases at Yankee Stadium. Meanwhile, Aaron Judge received clearance last week to begin light workout activity. Judge has not played since May 31 because of a broken right rib, though he maintains he will return before the end of the season. Boone indicated that Bellinger is expected to return from the injured list first, followed by Stanton and subsequently Judge.
### Bullpen Adjustments and Standings Context
In separate roster moves, the Yankees placed relief pitcher Kervin Castro on the 15-day injured list, retroactive to Monday, citing right elbow neuritis. To fill the vacancy, the team called up right-hander Bradley Hanner from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Castro compiled a 1.42 ERA over five relief appearances for New York, recording eight strikeouts and two walks across 6 1/3 innings. Hanner posted a 6-2 record with a 2.10 ERA, 61 strikeouts, and four saves in 51 1/3 innings at Triple-A before seeking his major league debut.
The Yankees entered the day leading the American League wild-card standings while sitting six games behind first-place Tampa Bay in the AL East.
“I think we still have a chance to be at our very best hopefully when it matters the most,” Boone said.
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