Yankees' Rodon won't be ready for Opening Day due to forearm strain
New York Yankees left-hander Carlos Rodon will begin the season on the injured list due to a left forearm strain, general manager Brian Cashman announced Thursday, according to Bryan Hoch of MLB.com.
Cashman said Rodon could return sometime in April if everything goes right with his recovery. The executive added that the two-time All-Star's strain is "mild" and that he pitched through it last May.
Rodon acknowledged that he would play through the injury if it was late in the season.
"I'm not here to pitch until the All-Star break. I'm here to pitch well into October," Rodon said. "If this was down the stretch, yeah, I would be going for sure. If it's Oct. 5 or the ALDS, I'm taking the ball."
Relievers Lou Trivino and Tommy Kahnle will also start the 2023 campaign on the IL, per Hoch. The former is dealing with an elbow ligament strain, while the latter has biceps tendinitis.
The Yankees landed Rodon on a six-year, $162-million deal in free agency. However, injuries have been a big issue for the 30-year-old during his career prior to making 31 starts for the San Francisco Giants last year.
New York's rotation has now lost Rodon and Frankie Montas before the start of the season.