The Yankees made a roster move ahead of Carlos Rodón's anticipated return, optioning top prospect Elmer Rodríguez to Triple-A after his start against the Rangers. In a corresponding move, they've called up Yerry de Los Santos to provide bullpen depth during this transitional stretch.

Rodríguez's demotion comes as no surprise—the 22-year-old right-hander showed flashes of brilliance in his two big-league outings, featuring a five-pitch arsenal and fastballs sitting at 95-96 mph. But command issues plagued him, as he uncharacteristically walked eight batters in just 8.2 innings, often pitching from the stretch with runners on base. It wasn't the debut he envisioned, but being the Yankees' first call for a spot start speaks volumes about his potential. Expect to see him back in pinstripes before the season ends.

Meanwhile, de Los Santos returns for his second stint on the Scranton shuttle this year. The right-hander made one appearance in mid-April, allowing one run over two innings, but his 2025 big-league numbers tell a stronger story: a 3.28 ERA across 35.2 innings. While this may be a short stay, he's proven he can handle high-leverage situations and will likely get more opportunities to cement his role in the Yankees' bullpen.

With Rodón set to rejoin the rotation within the week, the Yankees are managing their pitching staff carefully. For now, they'll carry four starters with de Los Santos providing extra relief coverage—a strategic move that keeps the bullpen fresh while their ace prepares to take the mound again.