Big news out of the Bronx as the Yankees' rotation is set for a major shakeup. Carlos Rodón is on the verge of returning from the injured list, with manager Aaron Boone confirming that after a successful rehab outing Tuesday, the left-hander is expected to make his next start in the majors. That means top prospect Elmer Rodríguez, who stepped in admirably for two starts following Luis Gil's demotion, is headed back to Triple-A. The Yankees optioned Rodríguez after Tuesday's game, a strategic move to carry an extra reliever during a grueling week without an off-day before Rodón retakes his spot in the rotation.
Meanwhile, Gerrit Cole also made a rehab start on Tuesday, but Boone tempered expectations, noting the ace is still "a little bit of a ways away" from a return. In other injury updates, Ben Rice was out of the lineup again Tuesday but hopes to be back soon, while Giancarlo Stanton has yet to resume running as he works through a right calf strain. It's a waiting game for the slugger, but patience is key.
Beyond the roster moves, the Yankees are keeping the spirit of a legend alive. Monday night's win over the Orioles doubled as a tribute to John Sterling, the iconic broadcaster who called Yankees games for 36 seasons. Aaron Judge shared memories of Sterling's unforgettable call of his record-breaking 62nd home run in 2022, while Suzyn Waldman recalled hearing a "That's baseball, Suzyn!" from the crowd during a moment of silence. Boone, too, was all in on honoring Sterling, expressing enthusiasm for the "JS" initials stitched into each player's cap for the game. The skipper even voiced support for keeping Sterling's signature "Yankees win... Theeeeeeee Yankees win!" blasting over the loudspeakers after every victory. "I'd love it," Boone said. "Right on into Frank."
The tribute isn't stopping there. The Yankees announced that the "JS" patch will remain on their caps through May 17th, when they face the Mets at Citi Field. After that, their jerseys will feature a custom memorial patch for the rest of the season. It's a classy move for a broadcaster who defined the soundtrack of Yankees baseball for generations. From the mound to the mic, it's all coming together in the Bronx.