Which Yankee Starter is the Odd Man Out When Carlos Rodon Returns?
The return of Carlos Rodón is the sequel that Yankees management has hyped as one of the summer’s two must-see blockbusters. This next chapter centers on a young starter giving way to the all-star lefty’s second act in pinstripes. After delivering his best season yet in 2025, anticipation is sky-high: what will Rodón bring this time? For a rotation packed with youth, adding a proven lefty with swagger and postseason experience is more than just a luxury; it could be the missing piece.
Rodón just came off his latest minor league rehab start with numbers that show he’s nearly ready. The three-time all-star pitched five innings, gave up one hit and an earned run, struck out seven, while walking one batter for Double-A Somerset. The 2025 playoff meltdown against the Toronto Blue Jays last season overshadowed his best season in pinstripes. In 28 starts, Rodón went 15-6 with a 3.12 ERA, with 205 strikeouts in 170.2 innings, and a WHIP of 1.08, finally looking like the second starter the Yankees envisioned when they signed him three years ago. This marks the second positive year in a row since his resurgence from a disappointing first season in New York. Now, with the bone chips surgically removed and his on-field performances rounding back into form, the question remains: who moves out?
The only starters safe from this shakeup are Max Fried and Cam Schlittler. They have dominated in April and secured the top two spots. Those pitchers facing uncertainty are those in the three-to-five spots, held by young, emerging talents. The key for this threesome to survive the Rodón effect and remain on the rotation will be performance.
Will Warren has the inside track to hold onto his spot, thanks to his significant improvement and consistency. However, if Rodón returns to his dominant form, Warren will likely shift to the fourth pitching role, still a strong position for his continued development. This is a testament to the Yankees’ faith in his progress. At worst, he is being thought of in the bullpen playing the Michael King role. Warren is making a case to remain a starter and balance out a staff that is lefty-dominant.
Ryan Weathers, acquired from the Florida Marlins, has proven he can pitch deep into games and is penciled in as the fifth starter. His future in the rotation, though, hinges on his ability to outperform Elmer Rodriguez in the coming weeks. Should Weathers falter or Rodriguez excel, Weathers will be moved to the bullpen, a role that addresses a clear need for the Yankees and keeps his arm ready for spot starts or long relief. Outside of Carlos Lagrange, Weathers has the best power arm not called Gerrit Cole or Schlittler, something that the Yankees salivate over.
Rodriguez, the dynamic Puerto Rican youngster who dropped a surname, has captured attention in spring training, the World Baseball Classic, and in Triple-A. If the 22-year-old outshines Weathers in his next few outings, he could leapfrog into the fifth starting role. Should he not leap, Rodriguez will head back to the minors but remain just a call away, an immediate option if injuries or ineffectiveness arise in the rotation. His rapid ascent signals he will be heard from again soon, regardless of the immediate outcome as a starter or an option out of the pen.
This was basically the Yankees’ long-term plan from the start. By passing on the free-agent pitching market, they put their faith, and their future, in the arms of Cole, Rodón, and a wave of talented young pitchers. Management trusted their prospects to hold down the rotation through the first months of the season, knowing that Rodón’s return would spark a real fight for survival. Now, with the three-time all-star lefty ready to reclaim his spot, every young starter knows there’s no margin for error. The looming presence of Rodón has elevated the energy, urgency, and performance level throughout the staff. For Warren, Weathers, Rodriguez, and the rest, the battle for rotation spots is making them sharper, hungrier, and better prepared to seize whatever opportunity comes next. In the end, Rodón’s return isn’t just about adding an ace; it’s about raising the standard for everyone in pinstripes.
