Yankees turn to Rodón for Opening Day start
New York Yankees left-hander Carlos Rodón will start the club's Opening Day game against the Milwaukee Brewers, manager Aaron Boone announced Friday.
The start will be Rodón's second career Opening Day assignment after he received the nod for the Chicago White Sox in 2019.
"Just an honor; I’m excited," Rodón said, according to MLB.com's Bryan Hoch. "I just want to go out there and win the game. Honestly, it’s just the first game of the season and another baseball game."
Yankees ace Gerrit Cole was likely ticketed for his fifth Opening Day start in six years before sustaining a season-ending elbow injury. Cole underwent Tommy John surgery earlier this week.
Rodón is entering his third season with the Yankees after signing a six-year, $162-million contract. The 32-year-old posted a 19-17 record with a 4.74 ERA and 9.7 K/9 over the past two campaigns.
Rodón rebounded from a disastrous 2023 campaign, registering 16 wins with a 3.96 ERA and 10 K/9 in 32 starts last season.
The Yankees are expected to open the regular season with a rotation that includes Rodón, Max Fried, Marcus Stroman, Clarke Schmidt, and Will Warren after injuries to Cole and 2024 AL Rookie of the Year Luis Gil.