According to the team’s most recent timeline, Rodón returned in late April or early May. That would give him a slight edge Gerrit Kool and well in advance Clarke Schmidt. Cole and Schmidt return from Tommy John surgery. Rodón emphasized the improved mobility he had after the surgery. “I couldn’t really bend my elbow” he said of his movement before the operation.
Rodón set career highs in starts (33) and innings pitched (195 1/3) last season. He finished in the top 10 in strikeouts. A forearm strain cost him a few months before starting his tenure with the Yankees in 2023, but he has been largely healthy since.
Rodón’s strong 2025 campaign fell apart in the postseason. He allowed nine earned runs over 8 1/3 innings between the ALDS and ALCS. Rodón posted an uninspiring strikeout-to-walk ratio of 8:5 in his two starts.
New York opens next season with a rotation consisting of Max Friedpost-season outbreak Cam Schlittler, Luis Gil, Will Warrenand trade acquisition Ryan Weers. They are a relatively unproven group (outside of Fried) with a long injury history. Veterans Paul Blackbrand And Ryan Yarbrough are ready to eat innings. The unit will attempt to hold the fort while Rodón, Cole and Schmidt work towards their return.
Elsewhere in the division, the Orioles received positive news about a pair of young left-handed bats. Gunnar Henderson says he is fully healthy after dealing with a shoulder impingement for much of last season, as reported by Roch Kubatko of MASN Sports. Henderson announced the injury earlier this month. He reiterated at this week’s fanfest event that the problem is behind him. “Feeling great, my shoulder feels great, so I feel like I’m in a great place right now. Swing feels great so far.”
Henderson put together a solid all-around season in 2025, although his strength numbers dropped dramatically from the heights he reached the year before. After hitting 37 home runs in 2024, he hit just 17 this past season. Henderson’s slugging percentage dropped from .529 to .438, and his ISO went from .248 to .165. It’s hard to complain about a 120 wRC+ and a career-best 30 steals, but the final result was a bit of a disappointment after Henderson finished fourth in the AL MVP voting last year. He should be a threat for 35+ homers again now that the shoulder injury has been resolved.
Heston Kjerstad It is also expected to be good going into 2026. Manager Craig Albernaz told reporters, among others Matt Weyrich of the Baltimore Sunthat Kjerstad is a “full participant” in Spring Training. There has been no clear explanation for the end of the outfielder’s absence last season, but it appears to be in the rearview mirror. Kjerstad was shut down in late July due to fatigue. In September, reports emerged that he was visiting doctors for an unspecified medical condition.
“He’s eager to get back to where he can go backAlbernaz told reporters, including Kubatko.Heston’s pedigree, he had to prove how good he was in the minor leagues, and going to the Fall League (in 2022) and winning MVP, that’s not an easy league to do that.”
Kjerstad was the second overall pick in 2020. He has struggled to gain a foothold in the Majors, slashing .218/.284/.365 in sporadic playing time over the past three seasons. Baltimore acts for Taylor districtsignature Pete Alonsoand preserve Ryan Mountcastle make it difficult to see Kjerstad cracking the roster to open 2026.
Photo courtesy of Brad Penner, Imagn Images
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