The New York Yankees are gearing up for some positive roster movement as they head to Milwaukee this weekend. Left-handed ace Carlos Rodón is expected to make his long-awaited season debut Sunday, rejoining the rotation after an extended recovery from elbow surgery and a hamstring setback. However, the team will continue to exercise caution with rookie first baseman Ben Rice, who remains sidelined for a third straight game due to a bruised left hand.
Rice injured his hand while catching a low pickoff throw during a win over Baltimore and has been out of the starting lineup ever since. Manager Aaron Boone provided an encouraging update, noting that Rice is improving day by day and an injured list stint does not appear necessary—at least for now. "It doesn’t look like it’s going to be an IL. He felt better today, so hopefully he’s able to do some things and maybe even be available on some level," Boone said. The left-handed slugger has been on a tear this season, batting .343 with 12 home runs and 27 RBIs, while leading the majors in on-base percentage (.455), slugging percentage (.759), and OPS (1.214). Veteran Paul Goldschmidt has been filling in at first base.
Rodón, meanwhile, has been sidelined all season after undergoing surgery last October to remove loose bodies in his left elbow and shave a bone spur. A late-March setback involving tightness in his right hamstring further delayed his return. But after three minor league rehab starts—most recently throwing 83 pitches over 6⅓ innings for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre—the three-time All-Star is ready to roll. "I think he’s felt ready to go now the last couple times. He’s been throwing the ball well and starting to command his stuff," Boone added.
Rodón will step into the rotation spot previously held by rookie Elmer Rodríguez, who was optioned back to Triple-A after two major league starts against Texas. The 22-year-old right-hander posted a 5.19 ERA over 8⅔ innings in those outings. "I think it was very valuable experience for him," Boone said of Rodríguez's brief stint. With Rodón back and Rice on the mend, the Yankees are inching closer to full strength as they battle through a competitive stretch.